(US4943499-A)      Conductor polymer used in the construction of completely dry batteries, has a crosslinked structure with inter monomer bonds formed through a N-bonded vinyl gp. and/or an aromatic ring, and has delocalised positive charges in the polymer chain neutralised by a counter-ion comprising Cl(-), BF4(-), ClO4(-) and/or PF8(-).    Polymer is prepd. by anodic oxidn. of a cpd. of formula (I) (where E is O, S or Se; R1 is H or satd. or unsatd. alkyl with double bonds in the vinyl or allyl position w.r.t. the N atom; and R2-3 are H or CH3).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Battery produced is not subject to self-discharge phenomena, and can be used in watches, calculators, cardiac stimulators etc. (8pp)
(DE3818955-C)      An absorber plate for the heat recovery of solar radiation energy consists of two glass panels with a gap between them, for the passage of a liq. heat carrier. They rest on an outer frame with the rod profiles. An inner frame with the rod profile is sealed inside the gap. Both frames are pref. made of PMMA. The profiles are joined .the corners by screws, welding or bonding.    ADVANTAGE -   simple and low-cost absorber in a lightweight frame.
(US5059254-A)      The glass substrate for a solar cell comprises a glass sheet having a curved surface shape, a light shielding layer along the periphery of the concave surface, and a transparent electroconductive film covering at least part of the light shielding layer and the concave surface. The glass has pref. been strengthened and the electroconductive film contains mainly Sn oxide.    Pref. an amorphous Si semiconductor layer is formed on the Sn oxide layer, and a back electrode formed on the Si layer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as a window glass panel for an automobile, e.g. as a etc. Used to provide power for driving a ventilator or other piece of electronic equipment in the car. Excellent appearance and visible light transmittance. @(19pp)@    (US5149351-A)      Curved solar panel mfr. for an automobile comprises, 1) heating a glass sheet and coating a transparent electroconductive film on one side of the sheet; 2) heating and bending the coated glass sheet into a concave shape while limiting the rise of resistance value of the conductive film; 3) forming a photoelectric conversion layer on the film and forming a back electrode on the photoelectric conversion layer so electricity can be taken out between the transparent electroconductive film and the back electrode and 4) forming a protective layer on the photoelectric conversion layer which faces the inside of the automobile.    Thickness of the electroconductive film is 300-10000 Angstrom.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Grid electrode, collective busbar etc. of the solar cell are not visible from inside the automobile so good appearance and visible light-transmittance are obtd. Glare is reduced from the highly reflective metal.
(DE3815751-C2)      A solar collector includes a longitudinal cover housing which consists of a radiation transparent and insulating material on the collecting side and an insulating material on the reverse side. An absorber housing is located in the collector and consists of channels which are parallel and which conduct a liq. heat conductor. A V-shaped blackened absorber is located in the channels, and the V-shaped corrugations have a concertina type structure. A further, unfolded flat absorber which is blackened on one side and runs across the back of the folded section.    ADVANTAGE -   The collector is economical to produce, lightweight and the heat collected can warm water even when the weather is not good.
(JP2816552-B2)      The solar heat selective absorber contains one or two of a metal oxide and/or a metal carbide of atomic number 24-29 as a major component. As a side component, a transition metal carbide of period gp. IV or AP is added to the major component. The absorber is formed by; (a) Applying the side component powder directly or through a binder on the (in)organic base material; (b) The side component powder is kneaded with a resin component; or (C) The side component powder is melted and spinned with a thermoplastic linear polymer. Or the mixt. of the side component and the thermoplastic linear polymer is melted and spinned with a thermoplastic synthetic linear polymer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The solar heat selective absorber is used for a cloth, curtain, tent, or sheet for green house. The absorber has superior heat retaining property.
(EP341756-B2)      A flexible photovoltaic device comprising a substrate (1) including a metal foil (1a) and an electric insulating thin film (1b) and a photovoltaic device body (3) of a non-single-crystal semiconductor, the body being formed over the electric insulating thin film and an electrode layer (2) being interposed between the body and the electric insulating thin film, characterised in that the insulating thin film (1b) is a layer of an inorganic material having an electric conductivity of not more than 10 power-7 (ohm.cm)-1 during light impingement, the inorganic material being a member selected from the gp. consisting of silicon carbide Si(1-x)Cx, silicon nitride Si1-yNy, silicon carbon nitride Si(1-x-y)CxNy, their hydrides and their fluorides.
(DE3811744-C)      Solar heat collector for a hot water system rests on a T-shaped aluminium carrier beam on the roof of a house, carrying on a base plate with a rectangular frame as insulating polystyrene foam slab. This is covered by a radiation absorbing black plastic foil, pref. made of polyiso-butylene (RHEPANOL,RTM) on which the copper heating tubes are arranged. Two fixing rails hold them to the base plate by tie rods and nuts. A transparent plastic cover is pref. made of rigid PVC, e.g. PHENOPLAST (RTM).    ADVANTAGE -   Improves known solar heat collectors w.r.t. output and mfg. costs.
(US4963196-A)      Organic solar cell comprises an organic photoconductive layer (I) comprising a charge generating cpd. (II) and a charge transporting cpd. (III); and a protective layer covering layer (I) and blocking low-wavelength light of below 450 mm.    Pref. layer (I) comprises a mixt. of cpd. (II) and cpd. (III); or layer (I) comprises a laminated structure including a layer comprising cpd. (II) and a layer comprising cpd. (III). Pref. the protective layer has a transmittance of at least 60% with respect to visible light.    ADVANTAGE -   New cell has stability in continuous use by suppressing the degradation of a charge transporting cpd. and also has a high photoelectric conversion efficiency. @(7pp)@    (JP92066394-B)      Organic solar battery is coated with protective layer so that light of short wavelength of less than 450 nm is cut. Protective layer has at least more than 60% transmittivity to visible light. Following condition (I) is satisfied when light absorbing end of protective layer is lambda (1) (nm), and light absorbing end of charge transporting substance of organic photoconductive layer is lambda (0) (nm).    Protective layer is coloured coating layer obtd. by dispersing dye or colouring pigment into resin. Colouring substance is i.e. azo dye, nitro dye, triphenyl methane dye, quinoline dye, etc., and binding resin used in protective layer is polyarylate, polysulphone, polyamide, acryl, methacryl, vinyl acetate, etc.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Deterioration of organic solar battery caused by light of short wavelength with lapse of time, can be prevented, and the solar battery can be stably used for long time. Most of visible light of 400-750 nm can be photoelectrically converted, so that high photoelectric converting efficiency can be obtd. (J01209768-A)
(US5021284-A)      Electroconductive integrated substrate comprises (a) 1 or more gas impermeable electroconductive plate; and (b) 1 or more porous carbonaceous plate contg. a large number of pores having gas permeability.    Plate(s) (b) are laminated over 1 surface of plate(s) (a) and integrally bonded to it by thermoplastic resin which is present only in the pores of (b). Plate(s) (b) comprise C fibres of dia. 4-15 microns and length 2-20mm., which are randomly dispersed within a 2-dimensional plane and bonded with each other by carbonised resin. Plate(s) (b) has pore dia. 20-150 microns and porosity of 40-85%.    ADVANTAGE -   Has electrical resistance of 7 m.ohms or less at the bonded surface in the thickness direction. @(16pp)@
(GB2216280-B)      Photoconductive imaging apparatus comprising, as superimposed flat layers bonded together; an amorphous silicon photoconductive layer; a dielectric mirror layer; and an intervening polymeric layer between those layers.
(US5155565-A)      The amorphous Si thin film pin solar cell and Schottky barrier diode on a common substrate comprises (a) a 1st conductive layer on a substrate, (b) an unsepd. amorphous Si ohmic contact layer over solar cell and diode portions on the 1st conductive layer, (c) layer(s) at amorphous Si forming a diode body over the diode portion, including a layer of n-type Si doped to 10 power 18 to 10 power 20 atoms per cm3 with a Gp-V element, (d) at least two layers of amorphous Si forming a pin solar cell body in conjunction with the ohmic contact layer over the solar cell portion, adjacent to and spaced from the diode body, (e) insulating material within the sepn. between the diode and solar cell bodies, the bodies being electrically interconnected by the 1st conductive and ohmic contact layers, and (f) a 2nd, conductive layer on both bodies, the diode body forming a schottky barrier with this layer. The substrate is thin and flexible, and is esp. polyimide. The dopant is pref. P. A-Al layer is deposited over the substrate as conductive layer, with a TiN diffusion barrier layer.    ADVANTAGE -   EFficient, lower cost mfr., with improved mfg. yield and diode characteristics. The diode can be readily shaped for applications where planar devices are not suitable.
(JP2607571-B2)      A new conductive polymer is to be used in sec. cells as a pos-itive material, is obtd. by polymerisation of azobenzene deriv. e.g., 4-aminoazobenzene, 4,4'-diaminoazobenzene, of formula (I) where X is amino gp. and m and n are each 0-5). The polymerisation of the azobenzene deriv. is attained by electrolytic or chemical oxidn. In the electrolytic oxidn., a mixed solvent contg. propylene carbonate or propylene carbonate may be used as a solvent. The new type conductive polymer is used as the positive material of the sec. cell using as an electrolyte LiBF4, LiClO4, LiPF6, LiI, LiBr, or LiNO3.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The new type conductive polymer is effectively used as the positive material of sec. cell and enable the sec. cell to be charged or discharged to a greater extent than the conventional one in case of the sec. cell using as negative material Li metal or Li alloy.
(JP2578452-B2)      Sec. battery comprises (1) positive electrode, (2) separator attached to positive electrode, (3) negative electrode attached to separator, (4) generating elements enclosed by positive electrode plate and/or negative electrode plate, that consist of active materials which migrate between positive electrode and negative electrode responding to the charging or discharging state of battery. Positive electrode materials consist of chalcogenides of transition metals. Negative electrode materials consist of carbonaceous substance with the atomic ratio of hydrogen/oxygen below 0.1, of which lattice space (d) of (002) crystal lattice is d = 3.37-3.75 angstroms. Active materials is Li or alkali metal contg. Li.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for mfg. sec. battery with high energy density, with long life, and reliability. After 5 and 100 cycle of charge and discharge, the discharge capacity of this battery is 1.9mAh, while charged (2.0mAh) conventional battery after 5 cycles, its discharge capacity dropped to 0.8mAh, and after 100 cycles to 0.3mAh.
(US4937156-A)      Introducing a hardening H2SO4 electrolyte into battery cells at a H2SO4 density of 1.20-1.31, comprises (A) combining (i) H2SO4 at a concn. of 50-80 wt.%, (ii) a suspension of 6-12 wt.% silica in water and a water in oil emulsion of a polyelectrolyte which is a (co)polymer of acrylamide having Mw of at least 1,000,000 daltons so that the obtd. mixt. has concns. of 3-5 wt.% silica and 0.1-1.0 wt.% polymer and a H2SO4 density of 1.20-1.31, (B) intensively mixing the obtd. mixt. to invert the mixt. to an oil in water emulsion and (C) immediately filling the mixt. into battery cells alternately subjected to a higher and lower pressure. The emulsion in (A) (iii) has a polymer content of 20-60 wt.%, a density of 1.03 +/- 0.02 g/ml and a viscosity of 300 +/- 100 mPa.s.    ADVANTAGE -   Each component has a long shelf life prior to mixing. (4pp)i
(JP2843935-B2)      Conductive organic polymers contg. electrolyte ions as dopants and having a conductivity of at least 10 power(6) S/cm are produced by chemical oxidative-polymerising (1) aniline, its derivs. or their salts with (2) oxidants comprising (a) oxidants having a standard electrode potential set as electromotive force in the redn. half cell reaction based on standard hydrogen electrode being at least 0.6 V and, when being soluble in water,~PP4 forming a neutral aq. soln. and forming no anion seed after reduced and (b) protonic acids having an acid dissociation constant pKa below 3.0.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The organic polymers are useful for the mfr. of plastic batteries and electrochromic display. The organic polymers contain the protonic acids along as dopant.
(JP2692816-B2)      The thin primary battery production is effected by laminating the anode current collector, anode active material and polymer solid electrolyte layer and metal thin film. The solid electrolyte layer includes polymer and alkali metal salt of mono-ester methacrylate.    ADVANTAGE -   The battery produced is lightweight and has good flexibility.
(JP2593320-B2)      A non-aq. soln. of an electrolyte is solidified by absorbing nonaq. soln. into high water-absorptive resin comprising modified polyethylene oxide and prepd. by reacting polyethylene oxide with a mono- or polyisocyanate cpd.    The electrolyte is pref. e.g. LiClO4 or LiBF4 for lithium cell or LiClO4 for electrochromic element. The solvent is e.g., ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate or gamma-butyro-lactone. The polyethylene oxide is pref. e.g., homopolymer or copolymer with polypropylene oxide or butylene oxide or their mixt. The monodiisocyanate is e.g., n-propyl-, n-butyl-, n-hexyl-, dedecyl-, octadecyl-, cyclohexyl-, benzyl- or phenyl isocyanate. The polyisocyanate is pref. e.g., 1,4-phenyl diisocyanate, hexane diisocyanate, decane diisocyanate, thioethyl diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,3-dimethylbenzole-2,4-diisocyanate, 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate, polymethylenepolyphenyl isocyanate, urethane triisocyanate, polyisocyanate adduct, etc. The modified polyethylene oxide is pref. prepd. by reacting polyethylene oxide with a mono- or poly-isocyanate cpd. in an amt. = 0.01-5 wt.% of the polyethylene oxide in the form of a soln., dispersion or powdery mixt. at 50-150 deg.C in the presence of a minor amt. triethylamine, triethanol amine, dibutyl Sn dilaurate, dibutyl Sn diacetate, triethylene diamine, etc.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The solidified soln. has good conductivity and is handled easily. it is usable as an electrolyte for cell or electrochromic element without the leak of content.
(JP96034770-B2)      The polymer solid electrolyte of a metallic salt is dissolved in polymer cpd. crosslinked with amorphous polymer, holding a high dielectric solvent in nets of the polymer by a phase-transfer agent as media. Opt. the high dielectric solvent is 1,3-dimethylimidazorisinon, the phase transfer agent is quaternary ammonium salt and etc.    In the prepn. 5 pts. wt. trifunctionality polyether is dissolved in 9 wt% lithium perchloriate and 1 wt% t-butyl ammonium chloride. 1 pt. of 1,3-dimethylimidazorisinon 7 wt% lithium perchlorate and 0.5 wt% t-butyl ammonium chloride are added and equivalent amt of hexamethylene di-isocyanate and minor di-n-butyl tin diacetate, are added and mixed,maintained at 80 deg C in an inert gas and react to form crosslinked film.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The electrolyte applies to solid state secondary cell with ionic conductivity.
(US4900642-A)      Rechargeable electrochemical cell has a cylindrical metal oxide cathode, a cylindrical zinc anode, a current collector extending into the anode and an aq. alkaline electrolyte contacting the anode and cathode. In the cell, oxygen may evolve on charge, overcharge or any reversal of cell polarity. The cell includes an auxiliary transfer electrode (I) provided for the anode and physically sepd. from it by a separator sheet, but in electronic and ionic contact with the anode. (I) is at least partially wetted by the electrolyte and thereby establishes the ionic contact between (I) and the anode. (I) comprises porous carbon bonded with polytetrafluoroethylene. The current collector pierces (I) and thereby establishes the electronic contact between (I) and the anode. Oxygen evolved within the cell is recombined by (I).    ADVANTAGE -   Enhanced oxygen recombination at the anode.    (JP3504297-W)      A rechargeable electrochemical cell, in which O2 may evolve on charge, overcharge or reversal of cell polarity, includes an auxiliary electrochemical transfer electrode provided for the anode and sepd. from it by a separator sheet. The auxiliary electrode is in electronic and ionic contact with the anode, is at least partially wetted by the electrolyte, and comprises porous carbon bonded with polytetrafluoroethylene. The metal oxide cathode may comprise MnO mixed with 5-20 wt.% graphite, or NiO (10-20 wt.%) mixed with Ag2O, Fe2O3, MnO2, or graphite.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The invention is useful in sealed cells, e.g. rechargeable cells such as Zn/MnO2 cells with a KOH electrolyte. It provides an economic means of accelerating the consumption of O2 by the anode.
(EP313440-B1)      Sealed casing for a device for storing electrical energy at very high voltage, borne by a support and including a plurality of capacitor stages enclosed in the said sealed casing which contains a dielectric gas under pressure, is capable of providing the flow of electric charges, and mechanically bears the said capacitor stages by the agency of internal bearing means arranged between the inner wall of the said casing and the said capacitor stages, characterised in that the said sealed casing is made up of mechanically strong fibres coated with synthetic resin and in that, facing the said internal bearing means which have the form of a block, but on the outside of the said sealed casing, external bearing means are provided, likewise in the form of a block, arranged between the outer wall of the said sealed casing and the said support having to bear the said energy storage device.
(JP2546680-B2)      Electrolyte comprises lithium salt dissolved in organic solvent contg. polymer cpd. additives having quat. ammonium ion in the concn. range of 0.001-0.1 M(mol/l) to quat. ammonium ion.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Applied to prim. and sec. cells. The cell has high energy density with large discharge capacity and good cycle life.    In an example, electrolyte is prepd. comprising 1.5M LiAsF6 -ethylene carbonate/2-methyl THF with vol. ratio 1/2, controlled in impurity to less than 100 ppm. Polyvinyl benzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (PVBA) and poly-di-allyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (PDDA) vacuum dried for 2 weeks at 80 deg.C in the concn. range of 0.0001-0.5 M(mol/l) based on quat. ammonium ion are added. Li-cell contains anode contg. 70 wt.% amorphous material (95 mol% V2O5-5mol% P2O5) as activator, 25 wt.% acetylene black as conductor and 5 wt.% teflon as binder to form 16mm dia. and 0.5mm thick pellets, Li cathode (17mm dia. and 15 mAh) and fine porous polypropylene sheet as separator. A charge and discharge test at 1mA, 2-3.5V and room temp. shows that Li charge and discharge efficiency is 95.3% with 0.01M of PDDA and 94.2% without PDDA.
(JP2537879-B2)      Battery consists of a flexible transparent substrate, electroconductive transparent current collector layer on the substrate, photo-electroconductive semiconductor layer, organic compound layer having producing halide by reaction with halogen or halide ion, plastic solid electrolyte layer and a counter electrode layer contg mobile metal ions of the solid electrolyte.
(US4894300-A)      A sealed, maintenance-free lead-acid storage battery (I) of high capacity uses a thixotropic sulphuric acid gel as the electrolyte. (I) comprises positive and negative electrode plates which are sepd. by a separator and are connected to a positive and a negative terminal, respectively. (I) further comprises a gel layer on top of the electrode plates and between them, and has a free gas space on top of the gel layer, and a housing lid and a pressure relief valve (II) confronting the free gas space.    The improvement is that a) (I) is horizontally arranged, its positive terminal being disposed in the lower portion of (I), and the free gas space and (II) being disposed in the upper part of (I); b) the lower portion of the free gas space contg. the positive terminal is filled with electrolyte-resistant and electrolyte-impermeable material (III); and c) a parting angle piece extends transversely across the free gas space, the angle piece operatively sepg. the upper portion of the free gas space from the lower portion contg. (III).    ADVANTAGE -   A horizontally disposed battery is provided which avoids the risk of escape of sulphuric acid.
(EP300330-B)      Arrangement (I) has as essential components at least 2 electrodes contg. as active materials organic cpds. made conductive by chemical or electrochemical oxidn. or redn., standing in direct physical contact with each other or sepd. by a separator.    Electrodes are contacted with metallic conductor. Active material of electrodes is intrinsically conductive polymer, partic. polyacetylene, polyphenylene, or pyrrole, thiophen, or aniline polymer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   E.g., power sources for computer memory back-up. (I) have high storage capacity, can be charged rapidly with desired polarity.
(JP93013812-B)      A transparent capsule consists of a transparent head part of almost hemispherical shape and a transparent cylindrical part extending from the head part. The head part and the cylindrical part are formed integrally in almost uniform thickness. If the radius of the hemispherical head part is R, the length of the cylindrical part is approx. 1/2 R.    In the mfr. of the transparent capsule, a disc of transparent matrial is held so that its periphery is airtight. Hot pressurised air is applied to the disc from above and vacuum is applied from below to form a spherical part to form part of a sphere. Hot pressurised air is applied to the periphery so that the cylindrical part extending from the spherical part is formed with the aid of the wt. of the disk-shaped material.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   This transparent capsule is used for the sunlight collecting device. This transparent capsule allows sunlight to react the sunlight collecting device to be installed in the capsule. (J63293034-A)
(US4948680-A)      Solid O(2-) conducting material for use as an electrolyte for a fuel cell consists of a monocrystal or polycrystal structure with the formula A1-xBxZ, where A is independently selected from La, Ce, Nd, Pr, Sc or mixtures of these and B is independently selected from Sr, Ca, Ba or Mg, and X is 0-0.9999, Z is selected form the gp. F3-x and OcFd, where F is fluorine, O is oxygen, x is 0-0.9999 and 2c+d = 3-x; c is between 0.0001 and 1.5 and d is between 0.0001 and less than or = 3, such that when A is La, Z is F3-x and x is O, the solid crystal is a nimocrystal.    ADVANTAGE -   Can be operated at relatively low temps_ (41pp)
(JP2590526-B2)      The appts. for refilling a matrix type fuel battery (10) with an electrolyte includes a tank (28) contg. the electrolyte. When valve (30) opens, electrolyte is conveyed under pressure to a vertical header (20). The electrolyte is then transported through supply pipes (23) to the cell (1). When the liq. level sensor (31) detects the upper limit of the electrolyte, the valve closes. The electrolyte flow resistance in the supply pipes is larger than in the header.    ADVANTAGE -   Time taken for refilling battery with electrolyte is shortened. Electrolyte in the header and supply pipes can be returned to the electrolyte tank preventing sticking. Problems due to liq. leakage, pressure and breakdown voltage intensity are eliminated.
(JP93059042-B)      Si has a concn. ratio of the O to C content less than 2:1, as determined by means of IR, and a total concn. of O and C impurities of 3-200 ppm.    Pref. the total O and C impurity concn. is 5-100 ppm. In the prodn. C content of the Si is reduced first, then the O content is regulated by outgassing O2. The Si is produced by redn. of gaseous SiCl4 with solid Al.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   This Si is claimed for use in the prodn. of solar cells. It has improved photovoltaic properties. (J02038305-A)    (US5431743-A)      Polycrystalline Si has a total O and C content of 3-200 wt.ppm, with an O:C ratio of less than 2:1 as determined by IR analysis.    Pref. total concn. of O and C is 5-100 (esp. 20) wt. ppm, and the O:C ratio is 1.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In a solar cell. Improved photovoltaic properties and improved efficiency. The solar cell can be obtd. economically.
(US5121183-A)      A light responsive semiconductor element comprises a semiconductor substrate, a light reflective layer and a buffer layer of second conductivity type and a first energy band gap.    A photoelectric conversion means comprises a layer of P-type and a layer of N-type material is formed on the substrate. The buffer layer arranged about one-half the length of the effective light absorption distance in the photoelectric conversion means from the light incident surface. The first energy band gap larger than the second and third energy gaps.    ADVANTAGE -   The device has enhanced photo-electric conversion efficiency combined with radiation resistance.    (DE3917936-C2)      This photoelectric semiconductor band element has a lower, inactive semiconductor substrate (1), a back-field layer (BSF layer) (2), two active semiconductor layers (3,4) of opposite conducting type to produce a p-n junction, and electrodes (7,8) for making contact with the substrate and the upper of the two active layers. On the substrate there is an epitaxially grown semiconductor layer (9) which lies under the back-field layer (2) and is formed for the optimum reflection of electromagnetic radiation of a specific wavelength of light.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Suitable for solar cell designs. Simply produced and of high efficiency.
(US4879189-A)      Pressurisation air systems are interconnected for higher power plant operating efficiency at part load. Each power generation module air pressurisation subsystem has its own turbocompressor to provide a compressed air supply to its own power generation subsystem at rated power plant load. When load demand on the power plant is reduced, some of the turbocompressors in the interconnected power generation modules in the plant are shut off.    The interconnecting valves are opened so that the remaining turbocompressors can supply all of the compressed air needed by all of the power generation subsystems in the interconnected power generation modules.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For operating pressures of 35 psig or higher. Low fuel consumption, thus, higher efficiency.
(US5059254-A)      The glass substrate for a solar cell comprises a glass sheet having a curved surface shape, a light shielding layer along the periphery of the concave surface, and a transparent electroconductive film covering at least part of the light shielding layer and the concave surface. The glass has pref. been strengthened and the electroconductive film contains mainly Sn oxide.    Pref. an amorphous Si semiconductor layer is formed on the Sn oxide layer, and a back electrode formed on the Si layer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as a window glass panel for an automobile, e.g. as a etc. Used to provide power for driving a ventilator or other piece of electronic equipment in the car. Excellent appearance and visible light transmittance. @(19pp)@    (US5149351-A)      Curved solar panel mfr. for an automobile comprises, 1) heating a glass sheet and coating a transparent electroconductive film on one side of the sheet; 2) heating and bending the coated glass sheet into a concave shape while limiting the rise of resistance value of the conductive film; 3) forming a photoelectric conversion layer on the film and forming a back electrode on the photoelectric conversion layer so electricity can be taken out between the transparent electroconductive film and the back electrode and 4) forming a protective layer on the photoelectric conversion layer which faces the inside of the automobile.    Thickness of the electroconductive film is 300-10000 Angstrom.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Grid electrode, collective busbar etc. of the solar cell are not visible from inside the automobile so good appearance and visible light-transmittance are obtd. Glare is reduced from the highly reflective metal.
(US4985315-A)      Material of an amorphous structure is based on K hydrodisilicate (I) and oxometallates (II) up to a molar ratio of about 1:5 to (I) to (II).    Doping elements of gp. (III), about 50 mol. % Si ions, and about 50 mol. % of K ions are replaced by bivalent ions of similar ionic radius as the K ions. Additionally, Si02 is contd. on a molar basis, up to 4 times the combined amt. of the Si ions and the doping elements.    Pref. the metal ions of (II) are transition metals, esp. at least one of titanates, vanadates, chromates, zirconates, niobates, molybdates, hafnates, tantalates and wolframates.    USE -   New material is a proton conductor adapted for use in fuel cells. (4pp)
(DE3815512-C2)      The solar cell described consists of a doped semiconductor body which contains a n+-p junction which is covered over all the back with a contact layer. Between the body of the contact layer, there is an insulating layer which is provided with openings forming an ohmic contact between the body and the contact layer. These openings are filled with contact material.    From the openings there are formed highly doped, limited p+ zones and the insulating layer (5) consisting of a very pure oxide and lying between these zones is in direct contact with the p-doped region of the semiconductor body.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Suitable for solar energy installations. This is a simple, cost-effective design.
(EP341756-B2)      A flexible photovoltaic device comprising a substrate (1) including a metal foil (1a) and an electric insulating thin film (1b) and a photovoltaic device body (3) of a non-single-crystal semiconductor, the body being formed over the electric insulating thin film and an electrode layer (2) being interposed between the body and the electric insulating thin film, characterised in that the insulating thin film (1b) is a layer of an inorganic material having an electric conductivity of not more than 10 power-7 (ohm.cm)-1 during light impingement, the inorganic material being a member selected from the gp. consisting of silicon carbide Si(1-x)Cx, silicon nitride Si1-yNy, silicon carbon nitride Si(1-x-y)CxNy, their hydrides and their fluorides.
(JP2547064-B2)      Appts. to form an amorphous semiconductor thin film comprises a gas blowing part to feed a raw material gas, the blow part being placed vertically moveably between a light-permeable window plate at the top of the reactor vessel and a substrate placed in the vessel.    USE -   For making amorphous Sitype solar cells.
(US4895774-A)      Molten carbonate fuel cell comprises a) a pair of conductive electrodes; b) an electrolyte body sandwiched between electrodes a), and comprising an electrolyte of an alkali carbonate mixt. (I), more than 5-15 mol.% of magnesium carbonate, relative to the mixt. (I), and an electrolyte-retaining material; c) fuel-supplying means for supplying a fuel gas to one of electrodes a); and d) oxidant-supplying means for supplying an oxidant gas to the other of electrodes a). Pref. mixt. (I) is a mixt. of lithium carbonate and at least one of potassium carbonate and sodium carbonate.    ADVANTAGE -   New cell has long life and outflow of electrolyte from the electrolyte body is reduced to prevent an increase in internal resistance and occurrence of gas crossover.
(US5057163-A)      Thin film photovoltaic solar cell comprises a substrate, a back plane conductor, at least one semiconductor layer with photovoltaic junction(s) and a second electrical contact means. Pref. solar cell has ceramic material contg. SiC, glass or mixt. pref. electrically conductive. Ceramic material has thermal expansion coefft. similar to semiconductor and contg. 20-90 wt.% Si, a barrier layer of multiple contact regions interposed between the back plane conductor and the semiconductor layer. Semiconductor layer is a polycrystalline thin-film.    ADVANTAGE -   Low cost high efficiency thin Si solar cell formed on low cost substrate. @(5pp)@
(JP94072309-B2)      A Ti material is immersed at first in a single or mixed aq. soln. of more than 5 wt.% concn. at above 50C and then in 0.2-10 wt.% hydrofluoric acid aq. soln. at below 35C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Degree of blackness is increased, while reflectivity to far IR is reduced. Suitable for a solar cell.
(JP96034105-B2)      System comprises a controllable air inlet, an O2-depleted outlet, a sensor in the outlet for monitoring O2 content, a recycle loop for recycling exhaust back to the inlet, an inlet monitor for the total inlet flow of O2, a plant power output monitor, and a control system linked to the monitors for calculating O2 utilisation of the cathodes and adjusting the amt. of air admitted to the inlet accordingly.    ADVANTAGE -   O2 starvation of the fuel cells is minimised (claimed).
(US5156926-A)      Appts. comprises (a) heat exchanger device to withdraw heat and cooling material flows carried from the fuel cell, for pptn. of condensates; (b) gas washing unit to separate catalyst gas from flows and sepg. residual fuel components from flows removed from tank; and (c) device to feed sepd. exhaust gas and components back into fuel cells. Heat exchanger device uses withdrawn heat, to heat and evaporate the material flows, for supply to the fuel cell. The pptn. device pref. reprocesses dissolved CO2 into ambient air. The flow from fuel cell is pref. in a closed loop.    USE -   Generating electrical energy from fuels, using electrochemically acting fuel cells. Avoids residues harmful to the environment.
(DE3810113-C2)      Prepn of the gases H2 and CO2, necessary for the operation of high temp. fuel cells with oxygen ion-conducting electrolytes comprises heating the reformer, and removing the CO2 contained in the exhaust gas of the reformer heater in a CO2 wash and recycling the fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Exhaust gas not necessary is removed without further treatment.
(EP336322-B1)      A process for producing a lithium aluminate powder having a large specific surface area, which comprises contacting a y-lithium aluminate powder with water to form a hydrate, followed by heating the hydrate to decompose the hydrate and remove the combined water.    (US5252315-A)      Li aluminate powder, as carrier of modified catalyst for carbonate fuel cell, with specific surface area of at least 30 m2/g, is mfd. by contacting a lower specific surface area gamma Li aluminate powder with water and an organic solvent contg. at least one hydroxyl gp., to form a hydrate, and then heating the hydrate at 300-1000 deg.C to remove combined water and decompose the hydrate.    ADVANTAGE -   Large specific surface area with well grown pores.    (JP2539483-B2)      Gamma Li AlO2 powder is contacted with H2O and obtd. hydrate heated e.g. at 300-1000 deg.C to remove H2O and form porous LiAlO2 powder prod. (I). H2O may be mixed with an organic solvent contg. -OH e.g. MeOH or EtOH.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   (I) is resistant to corrosive action of alkali carbonate and is useable as a carrier for internally modified catalysts in the fuel circuit of molten carbonate type fuel cells where (I) shows high modifying activity and long life.
(JP92058414-B)      Bi2O3, major component, Nb2O5, 5-10 mol.% and a trivalent rare earth oxide, Y2O3, 5-20 mol.% are mixed to form a solid.    ADVANTAGE -   The high oxygen ion conductor is used as solid electrolyte used in a fuel cell power generating system, steam electrolytic system, oxygen pump or oxygen sensor. The high oxygen ion conductor has good conductivity at a wide temp. range, 500-800 deg.C. When the high conductor is used in the fuel cell power, the conductor obtains the same current at 550 deg.C as that of conventional ZrO2 electrolyte operated at 1000 deg.C. The conductor has no possiblity of corrosion. (J01215723-A)
(US4963196-A)      Organic solar cell comprises an organic photoconductive layer (I) comprising a charge generating cpd. (II) and a charge transporting cpd. (III); and a protective layer covering layer (I) and blocking low-wavelength light of below 450 mm.    Pref. layer (I) comprises a mixt. of cpd. (II) and cpd. (III); or layer (I) comprises a laminated structure including a layer comprising cpd. (II) and a layer comprising cpd. (III). Pref. the protective layer has a transmittance of at least 60% with respect to visible light.    ADVANTAGE -   New cell has stability in continuous use by suppressing the degradation of a charge transporting cpd. and also has a high photoelectric conversion efficiency. @(7pp)@    (JP92066394-B)      Organic solar battery is coated with protective layer so that light of short wavelength of less than 450 nm is cut. Protective layer has at least more than 60% transmittivity to visible light. Following condition (I) is satisfied when light absorbing end of protective layer is lambda (1) (nm), and light absorbing end of charge transporting substance of organic photoconductive layer is lambda (0) (nm).    Protective layer is coloured coating layer obtd. by dispersing dye or colouring pigment into resin. Colouring substance is i.e. azo dye, nitro dye, triphenyl methane dye, quinoline dye, etc., and binding resin used in protective layer is polyarylate, polysulphone, polyamide, acryl, methacryl, vinyl acetate, etc.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Deterioration of organic solar battery caused by light of short wavelength with lapse of time, can be prevented, and the solar battery can be stably used for long time. Most of visible light of 400-750 nm can be photoelectrically converted, so that high photoelectric converting efficiency can be obtd. (J01209768-A)
(DE3809010-C2)      In the prodn. of microcrystalline n- or p-Si layers, esp. in thin film solar cell structures of the type glass/transparent conuctive electrode/pin-Si:H semiconductor body/metal electrode, in which the semiconductor body layer sequence is produced in a glow-discharge plasma with capacitively coupled h.f. energy using a process gas comprising a gaseous cpd. contg. Si and H mixed with dopant, the novelty is that Ar is added to the process gas during layer prodn.    ADVANTAGE -   The Ar addn. allows use of extremely low h.f. power (e.g. 1 W/sq.cm), giving reproducible homogeneous microcrystalline Si:H layers without layer quality redn. or solar cell efficiency redn.
(JP96034107-B2)      A fuel cell plant includes a power section which has a cooling water circulating system. Water is stored in a tank and is decontaminated in a separate vessel. A first conduit carries water from the storage tank to the decontamination vessel, a second interconnects the decontamination vessel and the power section, a third conduit carries clean water from the vessel to the tank, and a fourth conduit carries contaminated water from the power section to the storage tank. Water is discharged to the ambient from the third conduit when the amt. of water in the storage tank exceeds a predetermined vol.    ADVANTAGE -   Only clean water is discharged to ambient.
(GB2215904-B)      Dry fuel cell stack assembly includes a pair of opposed electrodes positioned between first and second plates, a matrix plate between the electrodes, a porous paper in the matrix plate, and passages for supplying electrolyte. The paper has sufficient porosity to allow the cell to be assembled before the electrolyte is added.    Pref. the paper includes a sheet of 'TORAY TGP 30' (RTM).    ADVANTAGE -   Cell may be assembled dry.
(JP2591971-B2)      Prepn. comprises passing JIS NO. 1 kerosene contg. 10-150 wt.ppm sulphur through a reactor filled with a Ni-type sorbent loaded with more than 40 wt.% Ni and having a surface area of at least 50 m2/g in the presence of no more than 0.2 mol hydrogen per mol of kerosene or in the absence of hydrogen at least under atmos. pressure and less than 10 kg/cm2.G at temp. of more than 250 deg.C and no more than 300 deg.C to reduce the sulphur content of the kerosene to no more than 0.5 wt.ppm, adding enough water for all the fluid coming out of the reactor and adding the fluid to a steam reforming reactor filled with a reforming catalyst contg. at least 5 wt.ppm Ni to carry out the steam reforming.    A stainless steel sorption column with an inside dia. of 20 mm was filled with 40 cm3 of Ni-type sorbent crushed to a size of 1 mm. JIS NO.1 kerosene contg. 62 wt.ppm sulphur was passed through the column under the conditions of a pressure of 9 kg/cm2.G, a temp. of 275 deg.C and LHSV of 0.2.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Hydrogen can be produced from kerosene which is economical and can be supplied stably.
(JP95115842-B2)      Prepn. comprises passing a kerosene fraction contg. less than 10 wt. ppm sulphur in the presence of no more than 0.2 mol of hydrogen per mol of the fraction or in the absence of hydrogen under at least atmos. pressure and less than 10 kg/cm2.G at temp. of 150-300 deg.C through a reactor filled with a Ni-type sorbent loaded with more than 40wt.% Ni and having a surface area of at least 50 m2/g to reduce the sulphur content of the kerosene to no more than 0.5 wt. ppm, adding enough water for all the fluid coming out of the reactor and adding the fluid in a steam reforming reactor filled with a reforming catalyst contg. at least 5wt.% Ni.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Hydrogen for dispersion fuel can be produced from kerosene which is economical and can be supplied stably.
(US5110637-A)      Amorphous oxide film is composed of an oxide contg. B and at least one of Zr, Ti, Hf, Sn, Ta or In. Pref. oxide contains Zr and B (ZrBxOy) where atomic ratio of B to Zr is X = 0.05-3 and that of O to Zr is y = 2-6.5. Prodn. comprises subjecting a non-oxide, oxide or mixt. to sputtering.    ADVANTAGE -   Amorphous oxide film has high durability, used for reflection preventive coating for optical articles e.g. lens or mirror.    (JP4265252-A)      The optical body has an optical thin film comprising at least two layers formed on a glass substrate. The outermost layer at the air side comprises an amorphous oxide film contg. an oxide contg. at least one of Ti, Zr, Hf, Sn, Ta, and In, and Si.    USE -   Used for mirrors, heat ray reflection glass, low radiation glass, interference filters, reflection prevention coats of camera lenses or spectable lenses    (US5399435-A)      A durable article having a glass substrate coated with an amorphous oxide film containing Zr and Si with the general formula (ZrSixOy) where the ratio of Si to Zr is 0.05-19 and the ratio of O to Zr is 2.1-40.    Pref. the amorphous coating has a refractive index not exceeding 2.0.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The coated glass can be used for building applications esp. where heat control is required. The glass can be laminated with other materials. The coatings are hard and wear resistant. They have good transparency and colour tone.
(JP2712084-B2)      The catalyst tube assembly comprises a cylindrical metal tube with a bore which contains the catalyst bed. A coaxial sleeve is fitted around the tube. A number of ribs are located between the tube and sleeve forming helical hot gas flow paths. The ribs have arcuate surfaces which form line contact with the exterior of the tube.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides improved heat transfer to the catalyst tubes increasing the efficiency of the reformer by 5% to 10% of fixed flow rates, or the fuel flow rate can be increased by up to 50% at a fixed reformer efficiency. The assembly is inexpensive to produce easily assembled and produces a tight, yet flexible heat transfer zone.
(US4954474-A)      Catalyst is produced by alloying metal on inorganic supports, pref. C supports of any form, e.g. C black, or silica or alumina supports, having a large surface area. A soln of an inorganic acid amine salt of a metal is applied to the supports which are already supported by a first metal, pref. Pt, formed by redn of a soln contg Pt ion, impregnated the support. Second metal is selected from Ni, Co, Cr, and Fe salt is a foramide asn/or an aceta-mide-salt.    ADVANTAGE -   High deg of dispersion is obtd. (5pp)    (JP2556874-B2)      Metals are alloyed on an inorganic support by applying a soln. of an organic acid amine salt of a second metal onto the support already coated wtih a first metal; reducing the salt to metal; and alloying the metals by heating.    The support is pref. C or an inorganic oxide.    First metal is pref. Pt and second is Ni, Cr, Co or Fe, or a combination of these. The salt is a formamide and/or acetamide salt. The reduction step. is performed in flowing H2.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In mfr. of catalysts for fuel cell. The metals are alloyed with a high degree of dispersion.
(US5021284-A)      Electroconductive integrated substrate comprises (a) 1 or more gas impermeable electroconductive plate; and (b) 1 or more porous carbonaceous plate contg. a large number of pores having gas permeability.    Plate(s) (b) are laminated over 1 surface of plate(s) (a) and integrally bonded to it by thermoplastic resin which is present only in the pores of (b). Plate(s) (b) comprise C fibres of dia. 4-15 microns and length 2-20mm., which are randomly dispersed within a 2-dimensional plane and bonded with each other by carbonised resin. Plate(s) (b) has pore dia. 20-150 microns and porosity of 40-85%.    ADVANTAGE -   Has electrical resistance of 7 m.ohms or less at the bonded surface in the thickness direction. @(16pp)@
(US4999308-A)      Thin film solar cell is produced by firstly forming transparent electrically conductive film (I) on transparent substrate (II). Film (I) is then formed into pattern of transparent electrodes. Amorphous-Si layer (III), having p-i-n junction structure is formed on (I) through transparent electrodes. Metal electrode patterns are coated and hardened on layer (III) by printing method. Finally, laser light beam is focussed and applied on overlapping portions where metal electrodes with transparent electrodes, thereby removing layer (III) at lower portions of spaces between metal electrode patterns, and crystallising layer (III) at overlapping portions, contacting removed portions.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell obtd has increased durability to high temps and high humidity such that pointed electrodes can serve as rear electrodes. (9pp)
(US4891174-A)      Prepn. of a microcellular porous ceramic body produced from ultrafine ceramic powder (I), comprises adding 65-330 pts. wt. of an alpha-olefin oligomer, wrt (I), as a moulding assistant to (I), kneading the mixt., compression moulding to give a moulded body, and firing the moulded body. (I) has an average particle size under 2.5 micron, (0.005-2.5 micron), and has a specific surface area of 50-500 m2/g.    USE -   Filters and electrodes are mfd. using the process.    (JP93019513-B)      65-330 Wt.% alpha-olefin oligomer, as a forming assistant, is added to ultrafine ceramic powder. The mixt. is kneaded, compression moulded and fired.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For making a homogenous porous ceramics body used for filters, electrodes and electrolyte holders for fuel cells, and catalyst carriers, and free from deformation and cracks. Method is simple and provides good productivity. (J01172283-A)
(US4985316-A)      Porous substrate of a fuel cell electrode assembly is formed from a precursor web of matted C fibres made by means of a conventional papermaking machine and dried. The web is satd. with binder resin, which is heat set at a suitable temp. It is then heated to carbonise all the binder, which is converted into a glassy, amorphous form of C, completely covering all of the fibres. The binder is pref. a wet phenolic binder.    ADVANTAGE -   Glassy coating improves corrosion resistance. @(3pp)    (US5026402-A)      Fuel cell electrode assembly substrate is produced by (a) forming precursor C fibre mat by wet paper making process; (b) drying precursor mat to remove entrained liq; (c) saturating dried precursor mat with carbonising liq. binder so all interstihal spaces are filled; (d) removing liq. binder from satd precursor mat, and (e) subjecting mat to graphitising temps. to convert binder to glassy form of C which coats all C fibres and all interfibre junctures in mat. Pref. binder is PVA.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For use in acid fuel cell assembly. Substrate has both improved strength and resistance to corrosion. @(3pp)
(US5155565-A)      The amorphous Si thin film pin solar cell and Schottky barrier diode on a common substrate comprises (a) a 1st conductive layer on a substrate, (b) an unsepd. amorphous Si ohmic contact layer over solar cell and diode portions on the 1st conductive layer, (c) layer(s) at amorphous Si forming a diode body over the diode portion, including a layer of n-type Si doped to 10 power 18 to 10 power 20 atoms per cm3 with a Gp-V element, (d) at least two layers of amorphous Si forming a pin solar cell body in conjunction with the ohmic contact layer over the solar cell portion, adjacent to and spaced from the diode body, (e) insulating material within the sepn. between the diode and solar cell bodies, the bodies being electrically interconnected by the 1st conductive and ohmic contact layers, and (f) a 2nd, conductive layer on both bodies, the diode body forming a schottky barrier with this layer. The substrate is thin and flexible, and is esp. polyimide. The dopant is pref. P. A-Al layer is deposited over the substrate as conductive layer, with a TiN diffusion barrier layer.    ADVANTAGE -   EFficient, lower cost mfr., with improved mfg. yield and diode characteristics. The diode can be readily shaped for applications where planar devices are not suitable.
(BE1001404-A)      A ferrous fuel material for a fuel cell consists at least partially of iron foil. Pref. the foil is coated with a hygroscopic substance, is perforated and is wound to a coil such that at least some of its holes intercommunicate along spiral paths.    A method of employing the fuel material in an iron redox element of a fuel cell involves (a) withdrawing part of the anodic soln. of the cell; (b) contacting and dissolving the fuel material in this soln. portion; (c) regenerating the soln. portion by reducing at least part of its ferric iron content; and (d) returning the regenerated soln. portion into the fuel cell.    A fuel cell, for use in the method, comprises a cathodic compartment, a cathodic soln. regeneration circuit, an anodic compartment and an anodic soln. regeneration circuit, the novelty being that the anodic soln. regeneration circuit includes a reactor contg. the fuel material .    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The fuel cell is used for feeding an electric vehicle drive motor (claimed) The foil has a large surface/ volume ratio, so that a relatively small regeneration reactor can be used, and can be of poor quality, or scrap without affecting regeneration efficiency. Fe(OH)2 ppte. produced can be recycled for foil mfr.. (First major country equivalent to LU--87444-A)
(JP94011641-B2)      Reformer comprises a reactor tube composed of inner and outer tubes charged with reforming catalyst, so that raw material gas fed into the outer tube from one end turns at the other end to enter into one end of the inner tube.    USE -   For fuel cell power generator systems. (J01157402-A)
(JP2977199-B2)      Electro-catalyst comprises a support carrying active catalyst metal particles spaced at a distance of at least 15nm.    In a pref. embodiment, the inter-particle spacing is defined by a mathematical formula incorporating: particle density; average particle dia.; specific surface area of the C support; and the percentage wt. of the supported metal on the support.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. in O2 reduction liq., solid polymer or solid electrolyte fuel cells. (claimed). The mass activity of the metal catalyst is enhanced.
(US4865925-A)      Electrode appts. is for an electrochemical system contg. excess free electrolyte and having anode and cathode compartments: contg. different solns A membrane sepg. the compartments has regions allowing passage of ions while limiting flow of soln. and gas permeable regions. Cathode and anode in contact with the membrane allow generation of current and prodn. of gas and ions at the membrane for transfer between the compartments.    Pref. the membrane comprises anion or cation exchange material or microporous hydrophilic material at ion-permeable regions and hydrophobic microporous material (e.g. PTFE) at gas permeable regions. The electrodes may be hydrogen electrodes.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For continuous concn. electrochemical cells, e.g. in systems converting nuclear or waste heat to electrical energy. Appts. is less complex and offers lower internal resistance. Improved performance, efficiency and life are obtd. (10pp)h
(US4898793-A)      Fuel cell device comprises: a fuel cell (4) with oxidant and fuel gas electrodes (1,2) sandwiching an electrolyte layer (39; a half-cell (16) with an electrolyte layer (3a), single electrode (18) and gas chamber (19); a connecting electrolyte (17) between the electrolyte layers of the fuel cell and half cell; and a circuit (21) formed by the half-cell electrode and either electrode of the fuel cell which transfer electrolyte between fuel cell and half cell to control the amt. on compsn. of electrolyte in the fuel cell.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. with a molten carbonate fuel cell. Electrolyte replenishment to the fuel cell can be achieved quickly, uniformly and stably over a long period of time (First major country equivalent to J01134868-A)
(JP94047441-B2)      Appts. to reform fuel for fuel cells comprises a double-structured reforming reaction tube charged with a reforming catalyst. The tube has a high temp. part, an inlet for a raw material gas, a low temp. part, and an outlet for reformed gas.    USE -   For fuel cells.
(US4847215-A)      SiC semiconductor film is formed by RF discharge in an Si, C and H2-contg. gas mixt. having a pp. ratio of C/(C + Si) = 0.5 or less and H2/(C + Si) = 60 or more, where C and Si are the pp's of the C- and SI-contg. gases respectively. A plasma is generated at a substrate temp. of 180 deg.C or more under a gas pressure of 0.5 torr or less, and at an RF power density. of 80-300 mW/sq.cm.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In mfr. of e.g. amorphous solar cells. SiC film has a wide optical energy gap and a high conductivity and is formed uniformly over a wide area. (First major country equivalent to J01119015-A)
(JP95023554-B2)      Plating onto surface of a porous material is effected with a plating bath contg. viscosity-increasing agent.    The plating bath is e.g. Ni electroplating bath, Sn electroplating bath, Ni electroless plating bath or Cu electroless plating bath. The Viscosity-increasing agent is e.g. polyacrylic acid series viscosity-increasing agent, and the viscosity of the plating bath is adjusted to 10 - 1000 cps by the addition of the viscosity-increasing agent.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Penetration of a plating bath into the porous material which often causes deterioration of the porous material can be prevented, and this plating process is suitable for a prodn. of ceramics electronic device parts such as ceramics capacitors, honeycomb catalyst carrier or separator of fuel cell etc.
(US4861387-A)      A solar cell comprises a body in which a photoelectric element is formed and on which an adhesive layer contg. at least one convexly shaped member is buried. A transparent plate is adhered to the structure by use of the adhesive layer.    ADVANTAGE -   The design reduces the risk of peeling in the structure due to adhesive failure. It is esp. suitable for use on artificial satellites, where temp. charges are very wide e.g. -196 to +140 deg.C.    (DE3829248-C2)      Solar cell comprises a solar cell wafer (1), forming a photoelectric element, with appropriate electrical connections, a transparent plate (2) for protection of the wafer from external action on the light-receiving side, bonded to the wafer by an adhesive layer (3). A number of convex parts (6) of transparent material are selectively distributed over the wafer, embedded in the adhesive layer which is at least as thick as the parts. Pref. adhesive and convex part compsn. is silicone resin.    ADVANTAGE -   High level of reliability, no peeling off of adhesive.
(US5045409-A)      The method comprises (a) depositing a composite film of Cu and In onto a substrate, (b) depositing a film of Se onto it, and (c) heating the substrate in the presence of H2Se or H2S, or a mixt. of H2 with Ar, N2 and/or He, for a time and temp. sufficient to cause inter diffusion of Cu, In and Se to form a CuInSe2 semiconductor. A CuInSe2-xSx cpd. is opt. formed, where x is less than 2.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for mfg. solar cells. Safety during mfr. is improved, as large quantities of H2Se are not required. (5pp)    (JP3172794-B2)      Semiconductor film of the CuInSe2 type is formed by: depositing a CuIn film; depositing a Se film; and heating in presence of H2 to cause interdiffusion. The H2 is pref. provided as a mixt. with Ar, N2 or He. The atmos. also pref. includes H2Se or H2S.    CuIn film has an at. ratio of 1:1 and the Se film provides an at. ratio of Se: (Cu+In) of less than 1; and the heating is performed in the presence of H2S so that a film of CuInSe2-xSx (where x = less than 2) is formed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Prod. is useful in solar cells. Method provides high quality films without need for (larqe-scale) use of H2Se.
(US4926229-A)      Photovoltaic element which can be used as power source for electrical appliances comprises, in sequence, a p-type semiconductor layer, an i-type semiconductor layer, and an n-type semiconductor layer. At least one of the p- and n-layers is formed of a non-single crystal p- or n-type semiconductor film of Zn and Se atoms in a stoichiometric compsn. ratio of about 1:1; 1-4 at.% H atoms; crystal grain domains in a proportion. of 65-85 vol.% per unit vol.; and atoms of a dopant giving p- or n-type conductivity. The i-type semiconductor layer is a non-single crystal film contg. Si atoms and at least one of H and F atoms.%    ADVANTAGE -   High conversion efficiency, partic. for short wave light. (43pp)
(US4872925-A)      Photovoltaic panel including at least two serially connected photovoltaic cells comprises (a) a glass substrate; (b) at least a first transparent electrically conductive sheet electrode disposed on (a); (c) at least a second transparent electrically conductive sheet electrode disposed on (a), electrically isolated from (b); (d) at least one layer of photovoltaic semiconductor material disposed on each of (b) and (c); (d) having at least one opening through each layer to expose part of (b) and (c); (e) a pair of electrically conductive sheet-like back electrodes, disposed on (d) to form two adjacent photovoltaic cells, each having at least one opening through it; (f) a dielectric layer disposed on each electrode (e), that of the two photovoltaic cells having an opening exposing its back electrode through it along the length of its edge adjacent to the second of the two photovoltaic cells; (g) a vacuum-deposited third electrically conductive sheet electrode disposed on (f) of the second photovoltaic cell and extending on to a portion of the first photovoltaic cell, (g) being electrically isolated from the back electrode of the second photovoltaic cell and electrically contacting the transparent sheet electrode of it, through the at least one opening of (d) and the back electrode, and electrically contacting the back electrode of the first photovoltaic cell through the opening through the dielectric layer; and (h) means permitting electrical contact to the transparent sheet electrode of the first photovoltaic cell and the back electrode of the second photovoltaic cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved electrical connections are made quickly and cheaply.
(US4865999-A)      A solar cell is produced by the sequential steps of firstly depositing a transparent electrically conducting first electrode layer (I) on a transparent substrate. Then, a grid of point electrical connections is deposited at isolated areas on (I). A layer (II) of photovoltaic semiconductor material is deposited on (I). An electrically conducting second electrode layer (III) is deposited on (II) and electrically insulated from the point electrical connections. A dielectric layer is deposited on (III).    Finally, an electrically conducting third electrode layer is deposited on the dielectric layer, the third electrode layer being electrically insulated from (III), and electrically contacting the point electrical connections.    ADVANTAGE -   New cell includes a point-like grid design which reduces the active area loss and provides good current collection capabilities with small power loss. (8pp)
(JP2509635-B2)      A film contg. dispersing metallic chalcogen particles is prepd. by diffusing a soln. contg. transition metal ions from one face of a base film and diffusing another soln. contg. chalcogen elements dissolving a reducing agent from the opposing face.    Cation exchange membranes like 'Nafion' (RTM, Du Pont Corp), polyvinyl alcohol, nylon, cellulose, porous polyethylene or teflon membranes are used as the base film. The reducing agent is e.g. H2S, Na2S, Na2S2O3, Na2Se, Na2Se2O3 or Na2Te. Transition metal nitrates, acetates, oxalates or halides are used. Water, alcohol, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile or acetone is used as a solvent to prepare the raw solns..    ADVANTAGE -   A large area flexible film of metallic chalcogen like Cds, CdSe or PbS which is used as a photosensitive material for electrophotography, solar cells or optical sensors, can be provided.
(US4875944-A)      Amorphous photoelectric converting device is formed by placing one on top of the other a series of photoelectric elements each comprising a thin film of p-i-n structure. The p-type layer and n-type layer of adjacent elements are made of microcrystalline silicon so that good ohmic contact is established while the p-type layer of microcrystalline silicon contg. boron in an amt. sufficient to neutralize the donor atoms with diffuse from the adjacent n-type layer, when the device is left to stand at high temps.    The concn. of boron ranges from 3 x 10 power 20 to 2 x 10 power 21 atoms cm(-3).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Solar cells and photosensors. Efficiency is retained despite exposure to heat over long periods of time. (First major country equivalent to J01076778-A)
(US5066731-A)      Prepn. of a modified intrinsically electrically conducting polymer in the oxidised (doped) form comprises exchanging 10-100 wt.% of the inorganic anion residually present because of the inorganic anion contg. electrolyte used during doping for at least 1 monomer or polymer organic anion in soln. in the presence of a dissolved salt contg. the monomer or polymer organic anion and obtaining the polymer in the oxidised (doped) form. The chemical structure and deg. of polymerisation of the polymer radical cation is independent of the anion(s) present in the polymer structure. The polymer comprises at least 1 polymer radical cation and the equiv. amt. of at least 1 anion. The polymer radical cation comprises 20-100% structural units which through linkage via the 2- and/or 5-position are derived from at least 1 monomer of formula (I) and 0-80% of structural units derived from at least 1 electron rich heteroaromatic cpd.. In (I), R1 is e.g. 1-12C alkoxy and R2 is e.g. H. The anions comprise 10-100 wt.% of at least 1 monomeric or polymeric (in)organic ion which can carry at least 1 negative charge and represents the conjugate base of a Bronsted acid and 0% upto the balance of the anions of an inorganic anion of halides, pseudohalides, halo complex anions of Gp. IIIa, IVa and Va elements, oxo complex anions of Gp. IIIa, IVa, Va, VIa and VIIa elements and anionic complexes of transition metals, or an organic ion.    USE -   Used for electrical engineering, semiconductor components and switches, etc.. @(7pp)@
(JP2575838-B2)      A single crystal of Si in the form of a thin dendritic ribbon is produced in conditions designed to eliminate contamination by oxygen or stemming indirectly from any traces of water. The novelty is in the preparatory steps in the process, principally a thermal pretreatment with the leading to a conventional crystal growth by pulling from the melt.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The crystals may be taken for use in solar cells directly, with no subsequent treatments such as slicing and polishing, which are required when the traditional cyochralski method is used. Measurements of the photovoltoic yield indicate that the high purity material obtained significantly outperforms conventionally grown crystals. The procedure may also be used for the growth of crystals other than Si where very high purity is demoulded.
(US5004424-A)      Appts demonstrating and studying fuel cell operation comprises: a) a first catalysed electrode, permeable to 02 but impermeable to liq; b) second catalysed electrode; c) an electrical connection between electrodes; and d) a housing holding the electrodes.    When the housing is partially immersed in a liq mixt of fuel and electrolyte, the liq mixt can circulate freely around one side of the first electrode and both sides of the second electrode. The other side of the first electrode is in contact with ambient atmos.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as a teaching aid, not just in fuel cell operation but many other scientific principles. (9pp)
(EP312767-B1)      Process for the removal of hydrogen and oxygen in the freely movable electrolyte of H2/O2 fuel cell batteries operating in a weightless environment, characterised in that in the electrolyte the ratio of hydrogen to oxygen is determined, in that by the addition of one of the gaseous reactants a mole ratio of H2/O2 of approximately 2:1 is attained, and in that the hydrogen and the oxygen are catalytically converted to water.
(EP312766-B1)      Process for the removal of hydrogen and oxygen in the liquid freely movable electrolyte of H2/O2 fuel cell batteries operated in a weightless environment, characterised in that hydrogen and oxygen are catalytically converted to water and in that the portion of one of the gaseous reactants in the electrolyte, exceeding a mole ratio of H2:O2 such as 2:1, is reacted electro-chemically at a gas dissipation electrode.    (DE3874278-G)      (A) Hydrogen and oxygen are removed from the freely moving electrolytes of H2/O2 fuel cell batteries operating in gravity-free space by catalytic reaction to form H2O, the excess of one of the gaseous reactants in the electrolytes beyond the 2:1 H2:O2 mol ratio, being reacted electrochemically at a gas consuming electrode.    (B) Appts. for carrying out the process includes, in the electrolyte circuit (1) of the battery (2), a gas recombiner (3) with a catalyst (6) for H2/O2 reaction, a gas consuming electrode and a reference electrode (7), a potentiostat (8) and a counter electrode.    ADVANTAGE -   The process removes hydrogen and oxygen from the electrolytes under gravity-free conditions, e.g. when the battery is used in spacecraft.
(JP95030428-B2)      Material comprises the alloy contg. Fe, Cr, and Ni, with K=1400-1800, where K=CFexCCrx0.2CNi2, (CFe, CCr, and CNi are respectively the contents of Fe, Cr, and Ni), pref., K=1450-1700.    USE -   For molten carbonate type fuel cells, showing excellent corrosion resistance in harsh environment in the cells.
(JP93001211-B)      Li and Al salts are dissolved in solvent and mixed with reaction agent (pref. soln. contg. ammonium carbonate). After synthesising two or more Li cpds. these are burnt at temp. of over m.pt. of synthesised Li cpd..    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Li aluminate with large surface area can be produced. Li aluminate is efficient as unequal system catalyst carrier. Also useful for liq. holding material or high alkali holding material e.g. electrolyte of fused carbonate type fuel cell.    In an example, ammonium carbonate 1 hydrate of 190.2 g was dissolved in 500 cc distilled water. In other container, Li nitrate of 52.3 g and Al nitrate 9 hydrate of 284.5 g were dissolved in 300 ml distilled water. To soln. ammonium carbonate soln. was dropped with stirring. After maturing overnight, this was dried at 120 deg.C. and burnt at 800 deg.C. in air for 36 hrs.. Li aluminate of high specific surface area of 50-70 m2/g was obtd.. Also its average grain dia. was small e.g. 100 Angstrom. (J01061314-A)
(US4849311-A)      Electrolyte membrane comprises an ionic conductor, e.g. a complex of polyethyleneglycol or poly(ethylene oxide) and an alkali metal or alkaline earth salt or a protonic acid, immobilised in the pores of a solid polymer membrane, pref. a polyolefine (mean Mw not less than 5.10 power 5). The polymer membrane has a thickness 0.1-50 micro-m; porosity 40-90%; mean pore diam. 0.001-0.1 micro-m; and tensile strength not less than 200 kg/cm2.    USE -   The prods. are components for a wide range of fuel cells, batteries, electrolytic cells, electrochromic devices and sensors.    (JP2644002-B2)      Electrolyte membranes comprise an ionic conductor (I), a liq. ionic capillary-condensed conductor (II) or an ion-exchange resin (III) immobilised in the pores of a porous solid polymer membrane which has a thickness of 0.1-50 (pref. 0.1-25)microns, a porosity of 40-90 (pref. 60-90)%, a tensile strength of not less than 200 (500 pref.) Kg/cm2 and an ave. dia. of permeable pores of 0.001-0.1 (pref. 0.005-0.05) microns. A method of prepn. of an electrolyte membrane is claimed (see below).    USES -   The membrane is used in fuel cells, batteries, electrochromic devices, sensors, high efficiency capacitors, brine electrolysis, water hdyrolysis, donnan dialysis and memory devices. Low electric resistance and high mechanical strength membranes are required.
(EP309000-B1)      Improved amorphous silicon deriv. PIN junction photovoltaic device has a transparent electrode (2) comprising ITO (indium-tin oxide) and SnO2 layers on the P (3) or N (4) layer on the light-impinging side so SnO2 layer contacts P or N layer. The SnO2 layer is 30-500 Angstrom thick, (50-500 Angstrom thick). The amorphous semiconductor of the P or N layer ha has formula a-Si(1-x)Cx, aSi(1-y)Ny, or a-Si(1-x-y)CxNy.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Device has an improved conversion efficiency. Used in solar cells, photoswitches, etc.    (DE3280418-G)      Amorphous semiconductor material is of formula    alpha-Si(1-x-y)C(x)N(y) (I)    It may be p- or n-doped, and doped material pref. has conductivity at least 10 power minus 8 ohm power minus 1 cm power minus 1. An amorphous Si-deriv. pin junction photovoltaic device has a p and/or n-type layer of amorphous alpha-Si(1-x-y)C(x)N(y); pref. with x = 0.05-0.75; y = 0.05-0.75; x+y = 0.05-0.80. An amorphous Si-deriv. pin junction photovoltaic device has a transparent electrode of In-Sn oxide and SnO2 provided on the p- or n-type layer on the light impinging side, with the electrode portion contacting the layer comprising SnO2 30-500 (pref. 50-500) Angstroms thick. The contacted layer is pref. alpha-Si(1-x-y)C(x)N(y); alpha-Si(1-x)C(x); or alphaSi(1-y)N(y).    Material has a large optical band gap and provides devices having increased open circuit voltage (e.g. 0.95V, 0.75V conventional); short circuit current (e.g. 13.6mA/cm2, 10.0mA/cm2 conventional) and conversion efficiency (e.g. 7.6%, 4.6% conventional). The specified electrode also provides improved values, e.g. conversion efficiency 7.0% cf. 6.2% for In-Sn oxide only. 7.0% for SnO2 only, both to SiN:H/I.
(JP96001040-B2)      Prodn. comprises forming into sheet a stock contg. 50 to 90 wt.% of (A) organic fibre for producing carbon fibre and 10 to 50 wt.% of (B) fibrillated organic fibre by a wet paper making process, drying the sheet, impregnating it with (C) organic polymeric substance, drying it, and heating it at 800 deg.C or higher in an atmos. of inert gas to carbonise it.    Pref. (C) is e.g., thermosetting resin. (A) has a finenewss fineness of e.g. 1.5 to 10 denier and length of e.g. 5 to 20 mm. (B) has a freeness of e.g. up to 300 mL CSF. The amt. of (C) impregnated is e.g., 60 to 120 wt.% of the sheet on a solid basis.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The porous carbon board is used as base material for electrodes of fuel cells and sec. batteries. It has low density and high porosity (75 to 80%), gas permeability, strength, chemical resistance, and electroconductivity. It is produced at low cost.
(EP308109-B1)      An electrically conductive polymer composition characterised in that it is producible by oxidative polymerisation of a homo- or copolymer a) of one or more substituted pyrroles, unsubstituted pyrrole substituted thiophenes, unsubstituted thiophene, substituted anilines and/or unsubstituted aniline in the presence of a polymer b) containing ammonium, phosphonium or sulphonium groups in the polymer chain(s) and a polydentate anionic complex which has a redox potential sufficient for enabling oxidative polymerisation of said pyrrole(s), thiophene(s) and/or aniline(s).
(US4888062-A)      A pin junction photovoltaic element, which generates photo-electromotive force upon irradiation of light, has a junction of a p-type semiconductor layer, an i-type semiconductor layer (I) an an n-type semiconductor layer. The improvement is that at least layer (I) comprises a deposited film comprising of zinc atoms, selenium atoms and hydrogen atoms. The deposited film contains 1-4 atomic percent hydrogen atoms and has crystal grain domains in a proportion of 65-85 vol% per unit vol.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   New element is useful as a power source for electrical appliances and also as a power generator, and has a high photoelectric conversion efficiency, esp. for short-wavelength light. (68pp)
(US4859624-A)      Semiconductor device is made by firstly forming a buried channel (I) for a CCD in a semiconductor substrate. An impurity diffusion region (II) is formed in which a transistor for a peripheral circuit of the CCD, having a conductivity type opposite to that of (I) is formed, region (II) being of the same conductivity type as that of (I). Finally, (I) and (II) are formed at the same time by a single process. Pref (I) and (II) are formed through ion implantation.    ADVANTAGE -   High threshold level and stable operation of transistors are ensured. (6pp)s    (EP305742-B1)      A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: forming a buried channel (4) for a charge coupled device (CCD) in a semiconductor substrate; and forming an impurity diffusion region (5) in which a field effect transistor for a peripheral circuit of the charge coupled device (CCD) having a channel conductivity type opposite to that of the buried channel is formed, the impurity diffusion region being of the same conductivity type as that of the buried channel, wherein said buried channel and said impurity diffusion region are formed at the same time by a single process.s    (DE3871663-G)      A semiconductor device manuf. by, forming a buried channel for a charge coupled device (CCD) in a semiconductor substrate; forming an impurity diffusion region in which a transistor for a peripheral circuit of the CCD having opposite conductivity type to that of buried channel is formed, impurity diffusion region being formed of same conductivity type as that of buried channel is characterised by buried channel and inpurity diffusion region being formed simultaneously, pref. by ion implantation.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Manuf. of semiconductor for use as an image sensing device having a CCD and its peripheral circuits on the same substrate. Provides for high threshold level and stable operation of transistors.
(US4879251-A)      A series-connected, thin-film solar cell module of crystalline silicon is produced by firstly applying an electrically conductive layer (I) over the surface of a large-area substrate of glass or ceramic. A polycrystalline, p-doped silicon layer (II) is applied to the surface of (I) which has a grain size of 200-500 meters. A pn-microjunction is formed in (II), by introducing n-dopant atoms or, respectively, ions. Trenches are formed in (I) and (II) to produce strips where the trenches extend down on to the surface of the substrate, with a spacing of 1-2 cm. The trenches are then filled with an electrically insulating material. Holes are formed for the series-interconnection of the individual cells, which are formed to a depth in (II), until (I) which forms the back electrode is exposed. Finally, a metallic grid structure is applied to the surface of (II) with a silk screening method, such that the grid structure forms a front electrode and also forms an electrical contact to the back electrode of the respectively neighbouring strip cell that lies exposed through the holes.    ADVANTAGE -   Large area substrates can be used and the cost for silicon material is reduced, and the electrical interconnections are integrated into the manufacturing process. (6pp)
(US4914044-A)      Tandem solar cell module is mfd. by applying an electroconductive layer (I) on substrate of electrically insulating material that has bars proceeding parallel to one another, at defined spacings from one another, layer (I) being applied between the bars. There are inserted between the bars, strips of p-doped, polycrystalline silicon fitting over (I), and the strips are connected to (I) in an electroconductive fashion, to define several strip-shaped individual solar cells (II). A pn-junction is formed in each of the silicon strips. Holes are provided that extend to surface of (I) in silicon, holes being provided at end of strips. A strip pattern is applied forming front-side contacts to strip-shaped cells (II) with silk screening process, the strip pattern being composed of electroconductive paste. An electroconductive connection is provided between front-side contact and layer (I) of neighbouring individual cell, layer (I) forming back-side contact of individual solar cells and being exposed in holes. Cells (II) are provided, series-connected to form 1st sub-module, with an anti-reflection layer. The 1st sub-module is joined, via optical coupler, to 2nd, previously-made sub-module of amorphous, hydrogenated silicon solar cells that is of same size, so that a substrate of 2nd sub-module forms covering for tandem solar cell. Finally, overall module is integrated into frame, whereby independently-provided photocurrent generated by individual sub-modules is provided, via a total of at least 4 electrical contacts.    ADVANTAGE -   Solar module so obtd. is cost effective to mfr., exhibits high efficiency in conversion of sunlight into electrical energy, is stable and has a large area.
(US7109133-N)      A porous composite electrode (I) is provided for use in electrochemical cells. (I) has a first face and a second face defining a relatively thin section between them. (I) has (a) means for conducting ions; (b) means for conducting electrons; and (c) an electrocatalyst. The vol. concn. of means (a) is greatest at the first face and is decreased across the section, while the vol. concn. of the means (b) is greatest at the second face and decreases across the section of (I). All electrocatalyst (c) is positioned within the electrode section in a positioned within the electrode section in a relatively narrow zone where the rate of electron transport of (I) is about equal to the rate of ion transport of (I).    ADVANTAGE -   Amt. of electrocatalyst, necessary to achieve the highest electrochemical cell performance, as measured by the value of watts per mg of electrocatalyst, is minimised. (29pp)
(JP2627619-B2)      An organic cpd. is vacuum evapd. to form anorganic amorphous film while light is irradiated.    Light is pref. irradiated on the organic films deposited on a substrate. Light is irradiated both on the organic films deposited and the gaseous raw organic cpd. through the substrate. Light is irradiated on the organic cpd. placed on a heating boat. Light is irraidated on at least one of the organic cpds. when a number of organic cpds. are vacuum evaporated. Source material is pref. spiropyran, stilbene, azobenzene or fulguide, vacuum evaporated.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Amorphous transparent organic films are formed by vacuum evaporation. Resist films, organic film solar cells, photochromic films or optical disc media can be produced in a dry process.
(JP95111481-B2)      The protective coat contains B, N and Si as the essential elemental ingredients. Pref. atomic concn. ratio Si/(Si+B) in the protective coat is greater than 0 but smaller than 1.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The protective coat is applicable typically to optomagnetic recording medium, solar cell, optical lens, mirror, etc. It permits control of refractive index without varying the film thickness, and offers enhanced hardness and optical transmittance.    In an example, SiH4, B2H6, NH3 and N2 were introduced to a vacuum chamber in which the substrate was held. The total gas flow rate was maintained at 500 cm3/min., and h.f. power of 0-500 W was applied to generate plasma between the substrate holder and an electrode. Protective coating film contg. B, N and Si was deposited on the substrate surface. Refractive index of the coating film was controlled by varying the flow rate ratio SiH4/(SiH4+B2H6).
(JP2685839-B2)      Removing ammonia, gaseous ammonium compounds such as ammonium carbonates and bicarbonates, and carbon dioxide contaminants from contaminated water in a closed water cycle fuel cell power plant comprises (a) providing a stream of the contaminated water at superatmospheric pressure and elevated temperature having an ammonia content of &lt;500 ppm by wt.; (b) performing a first steam stripping operation on the stream of contaminated water by contacting the latter with steam to strip a first portion of the ammonia content from the water; (c) performing a second steam stripping operation on the contaminated water after the first steam stripping operation is completed to strip a second portion of the ammonia content from the water; (d) combining contaminated steam exhausted from the second steam stripping operation with steam used in the first steam stripping operation during performance of the latter so that the first steam stripping operation is performed with a combined supply of steam and feeding combined contaminated steam exhausted from the first steam stripping operation into a condenser to condense water out of the combined contaminated steam; and (e) venting contaminated steam from the condenser at controlled rates so that the vented steam has a water content which is less than the available amount of water produced by the electromechanical reaction in the fuel cell power plant.    ADVANTAGE -   System power plant does not require that externally sourced make up water be added to the power plant.
(US4933300-A)      Multilayer thin film is formed by a introducing a mixt of gas reactants into a reaction chamber contg a substrate; (b) discont-inuously carrying out plasma-excited chemical reaction or light-excited chemical reaction exclusively or preferentially; and (c) carrying out the other reaction discontinuously in a different time phase than the other, on continuously.    First gas reactant enables plasma-excited or light-excited chemical reaction to take place or preferentially take place; and second gas reactant has a different reactivity.    ADVANTAGES -   Thin film layer is alternately deposited on the substrate when one reaction is carried out, and another thin film layer is formed when interupted. Plasma-excited reaction is discontinuously carried out while light-excited reaction is contin-uously carried out, or vice-versa. (10pp)    (JP2629773-B2)      A multilayer thin film is formed by introducing a mixed 1st raw material gas capable of either plasma exciting or photo-exciting chemical reactions, and a 2nd raw material gas having a different reactivity, into the reaction chamber. Either one of these reactions is effected continuously, where the one chemical reaction is intermittently or continuously effected in a different sequence from the other one, to form a laminated thin film by effecting one chemical reaction and then the other, alternatively on a substrate.    USE -   For forming amorphous semiconductor superlattice thin film, used for solar cells or thin film transistors.
(JP94088837-B2)      In the carbon composite prodn. a paste comprising a thermosetting resin and a filler selected from carbon powder, short C-fibre, organic resin powder, pitch powder, coke powder, metal grind powder, powdered metal, Si3N4 whisker, and SiC whisker, is applied to a base consisting of a non-woven cloth made of a synthetic fibre or a mixed fibre of organic, carbon and/or natural organic fibres. The base is dried to give prepregs and is then laminated and heated under pressure to effect condensation polymerisation of the thermosetting resin to obtain a moulding and subjected to firing to effect carbonisation.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For separators of fuel cells.
(JP96008999-B2)      Support loaded with Pt powder is contacted with a soln. contg. Co cpds. and Cr. cpds. to adhere them to the support which is treated at a high temp., so that Pt-Cr-Co alloy is formed.    Pref. carbon black is used as the support. Chromium nitrate and cobalt nitrate are used. The support is treated at 800-1000 deg.C for 0.5-2 hrs. in an inert gas.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst is used for fuel cells. Cr and Co can be uniformly simultaneously deposited. The ratio of Cr/Co can be freely changed.    In an example, 10g of carbon black loaded with Pt were dispersed in 400 ml of water; a soln. contg. 7g of chromium nitrate and 4g of cobalt nitrate in 100 ml of dil. HCl was added to the carbon black dispersion. Dil. NH4OH was added to adjust the pH of the dispersion to 7.5. The carbon black powders were filtered off, dried at 90 deg.C, and heated at 900 deg.C for 2 hrs. in N2 gas.
(JP96008998-B2)      Supports loaded with Pt powders are contacted with soln. contg. cobalt chromate to adhere cobalt chromate to the supports then the supports are treated at high temp. so that Pt-Cr-Co alloy is formed.    Pref. carbon black are used as the supports. The supports are treated at 800-1000 deg.C for 0.5-2 hrs. in inert gas.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Catalyst is used for fuel cells. Cr and Co can be uniformly simultaneously deposited.    In an example, 10g of carbon black loaded with Pt were dispersed in 400 ml of water; soln. dissolving 4g of cobalt chromate in 100 ml of dil. HCl was added to the cabron black dispersion; dil. NH4OH was added to adjust the pH of the dispersion at 7.5; the carbon black powders were filtered off, dried at 90 deg.C and heated at 900 deg.C for 2 hrs. in N2 gas.
(JP2566963-B2)      Thin membrane solid material consists of P contg. silicon. Its optical forbidden zone is 2.0-2.8 eV and its electric conductivity is 100-1000 (siemens/cm). It has good transparency.    Pref. the number of P atoms in the solid matter is 0.01%-1% (about 0.1%) w.r.t. the number of Si atoms.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The thin membrane is useful for transparent conductive membrane, window material and coating material of a solar cell and light sensor.
(JP93066882-B)      Methanol reformer comprises a cylindrical furnace, a burner placed at upper part of the furnace, a cylindrical wall placed around the burner, a vapouriser placed in the wall, a reactor placed at the outside of the wall and connected to the vapouriser and an outlet. The reformer also comprises an air chamber between the burner and the reactor and air is supplied from the outside of the furnace to the air chamber controlling its amt. based on a catalyst temp. in the reactor.    USE -   Compsn. and amt. of flow of reformed gas do not change when the load of the fuel cell changes, since catalyst in the reactor is not super-heated. (J63315501-A)
(DE3724648-C)      Thin sheets are joined with their edges to each other by designing the edges with trapezoidal teeth which are offset in one sheet from those in the other by one pitch. The teeth are then folded over the gaps in the other sheet and the ends are finally bent through 45 deg.    Specifically both edges of the two thin sheets (10,11) receive trapezoidal teeth (12,13), sepd. by trapezoidal gaps and offset so that the teeth can be bent in the gaps of the other sheet end (14,15). Both sheets are then bent to the required angle from each other (16,17).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For the bodywork of motor vehicles, joining zinc-plated parts to lacquered parts, cardboard packages, steel furniture, PVC plates joined to metal sheets, spacecraft applications, solar and battery mfr., lead protective screens against radiation. This joins even coated sheets safely and without detrimental effect on the appearance, also materials which are difficult to weld and requires no final dressing.
(JP2523131-B2)      Solid material in a thin film comprises a B-contg. Si, pref. transparent, having an optical forbidden band of 2.0-2.5 eV, and an electrical conductivity of 100-500 S/cm.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as a transparent electrode or a window or coating material for solar cells or photosensors. The material is highly electroconductive and transparent.    In an example, a mixed gas of Si hydride, e.g. SiH4 or Si2H6 and p-type dopant e.g. BH3 or B2H4 diluted with H2 gas is decomposed by RF-glow, DC-glow, or microwave discharging and deposited on a substrate at a rate of 0.01-50 Angstroms/sec. to form a 1000-5000 Angstroms thick thin film, which is heat treated. The number of B atoms contained in the material is 0.0001-50(0.01-1)% w.r.t. Si atoms, pref. 0.1%.
(JP2541986-B2)      SiO2 Coating is previously formed on surface of glass and the coatingis removed by etching to make glass surface uneven The coating is pref. formed by soaking the glass in aq. H2SiF6 soln. super-satd. with SiO2 or by coating aq. alcoholic soln. of alkoxy silane cpd. on the glass surface and hydrolysing.    ADVANTAGE -   Forms fine uneven structure on glass surface at low cost and with good controllability, so esp. used as glass board of solar cell etc..
(US4826525-A)      Bent and/or toughened glass is produced by coating the glass with a metal of atomic number of 22-28 esp. Cr (alloy) or Ti and applying a further thin coating of Al. The glass is then subjected to a bending and/or toughening cycle during which it is heated above the softening point of the glass. The coating is esp. suitable for providing a solar control effect.    ADVANTAGE -   The process gives a glass which can be bent and/or toughened without loss of the desirable properties provided by the coating esp. solar control.
(DE3869009-G)      Fuel cell comprising an anode contg. a catalyst, an ion exchange membrane electrolyte, a cathode and wet proofing means is cooled by:- (1) forming a liq. water mist from supplied liq. water using an aspirator, (2) controlling the amt. of liq. water mist introduced to prevent flooding of the anode, (3) adding a desiccent material to the anode to prevent local area flooding and to transport the liq. water mist through the anode to the ion exchange membrane,evaporating water formed in the cathode and passed through the wet proofing means so as to cool the fuel cell.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For applications requiring large, very efficient power-to-weight ratio such as in spacecraft, submarine or ground vehicles. A high pacting density is achieved by eliminating the need for a separate cooling compartment while current and power density capabilities are also increased (all claimed).
(JP96005736-B2)      Process comprises continuously moving an inner tubular member up and down, relative to the surface of molten Si contained in the crucible.    USE -   For making solar cells.
(JP95112922-B2)      The device includes a reformer reactor for hydrocarbon material.It is provided with a container for storing part of the hydrocarbon material which is desulphurised.    USE -   The device can be restarted, after stoppage, without requiring an external hydrogen source.
(US4851302-A)      A functional deposited compound film on a non-single crystal substrate comprising of zinc, selenium, and hydrogen atoms, characterized in that the content of hydrogen atoms is 1 to 4 atomic% and the ratio of crystal grains per unit volume is 65 to 85 vol.%.
(JP2616773-B2)      Zirconia ceramics contg. a stabiliser are mfd. by (1) hydrolysing the mixed soln. of soln. of Zr, and at least one stabiliser to form sol, drying the sol, and calcining it at 700-1300 deg.C; (2) mixing the obtd. calcined powder with at least one of zirconia and stabiliser, calcining the mixt. at 500-1300 deg.C; and (3) compacting the obtd. calcined powder, and sintering the compact at 700-1700 deg.C.    USE -   For (partially) stabilised zirconia used for oxygen sensors, and fuel cells.
(US4839246-A)      A first adjustment is performed of the supply of the power to a load by the battery in response to the sudden variation in load until the fuel cell responds to the sudden variation in load. The DC power delivered from the battery is converted into AC power for supply to the load. The response of the fuel cell w.r.t. sudden variation in load is delayed in time by an integrator.    The power supplied form the fuel cell is controlled while performing a second adjustment of the supply of the power to the load by the fuel cell after the fuel cell responds to the sudden variation in load. (First major country equivalent to J63289773)
(JP2607517-B2)      Zirconia ceramics is made by forming soln. contg. suitable amt. of at least one metal element except Zr as a constituent of stabilised zirconia or partially stabilised zirconia, and Zr; reacting the soln. with ppte. forming soln. to form co-ppte., drying it and calcining at 700-1300 deg. C; mixing the calcined matter and cpd. of the residual components of objective stabilised or partially stabilised zirconia, followed by calcining the mixt. at 500-1300 deg. C; compacting the obtd. calcined powder, folowed bysintering the compact at 700-1700 deg. C.    USE -   For making stabilised or artially stabilised zirconia ceramis used for oxygen sensors, and fue cells, as a functional ceramics.
(EP297316-B)      Current flow and distribution in a porous anode of a bipolar plate of a cell pile is improved by providing metal platelets (9) embedded in the porous anode layer (8) which can be welded to the contact sheet (11) after passing through holes (14) in the corrugated sheet.    ADVANTAGE -   A satisfactory current contact is established by reduction sintering the platelets (9) to the anode layer (8) to produce a crystalline metallic joint between the two which prevents a high resistance barrier layer forming.
(DE3819708-C)      A circular loom to produce a woven tissue with radial warp threads and peripheral weft threads in a certain configuration is used for the mfr. of cores to produce parabolic mirrors for satellite antennae, infrared telescopes or solar heat collectors. Shuttles (2) hold the warp threads (1) in turn by upper (4) and lower (5) clamping devices. Clamps (7) for the peripheral weft threads produce a compact woven tissue. A weft thread turning device (51) causes the weft threads (6) to pass through the open warp shed created by the warp shuttles. A spherical or parabolic template (11) retains the desired shape of the woven article.    ADVANTAGE -   This requires no subsequent deformation of the woven tissue, resulting in any deterioration of the qualities of the prod.    (US4938270-A)      Spherical cloth weaving machine with shuttle chucks in which radially stretched warp yarns and circumferentially running weft yarns are woven into a desired spherical shape e.g. to form basis for a parabolic mirror.    This comprises mechanism for moving warp yarn alternately by shuttle chucks holding selected warp yarns at outer peripheral portions, mechanism for hooking the circumferential weft yarn and beating it towards centre of warp yarns to compact fabric, weft yarn rotating mechanism to pass weft yarn through shed of warp yarns and mechanism for maintaining the woven fabric in a spherical shape.    USE -   Produces improved spherically shaped fabric with regular yarn distribution. @(9pp )@
(DE3819011-C)      Mirror includes a base plate made of carbon fibre reinforced fibre layers, which have an orientation which changes from layer to layer e.g. by crossing one another, a reflective glass layer ont he base plate, and a metal layer on the mirror glass layer. The base plate is formed by a carbon matrix with laminated carbon fibres, with an orientation of 0/0 degs., 0/90 degs., 0/+/- 45/90 degs. and 0/+/- 60 degs. The carbon fibres make up 20-65% of the carbon matrix vol. The base plate density is 1.6-1.96 g/cm3 in density.    ADVANTAGE -   The mirror has good mechanical characteristics, is light in weight and has good thermal properties.
(EP414785-B1)      A device for extracting power from a moving fluid comprising: a housing (8) having a primer mover (2) rotatably mounted therein, which housing is configured for shielding the primer mover from a first fluid stream (AS 1) which is incident on the device, and for directing the first fluid stream around the housing so that the first fluid stream does not interact directly with the prime mover; an inlet port (14) which is spaced apart from the housing for receiving a second fluid stream (AS 2) which is incident on the device at said inlet port so that the first and second fluid streams, when incident on the device, are at least substantially independent of one another, the inlet port being arranged for directing the second fluid stream into the housing via an opening immediately upstream of the prime mover for driving the prime mover; and an outlet port (22) for permitting the second fluid stream to leave the housing; characterised in that the housing surrounding the prime mover has a volume which is substantially larger than that of the prime mover so that the cross-sectional area of the opening in a direction transverse to the flow direction through the opening of the second fluid stream is substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the housing through which the second fluid stream transversely passes as the second fluid stream discharges from the prime mover, whereby the second fluid stream undergoes a substantial fall in velocity across the prime mover, and is deflected by the prime mover so as to flow radially or at least partially with respect to the rotational axis of the prime mover, the housing being configured so that the first fluid stream around the housing and past the outlet port is such as to give rise to a suction effect at the outlet port thereby enhancing power extraction from the moving fluid.
(US5059254-A)      The glass substrate for a solar cell comprises a glass sheet having a curved surface shape, a light shielding layer along the periphery of the concave surface, and a transparent electroconductive film covering at least part of the light shielding layer and the concave surface. The glass has pref. been strengthened and the electroconductive film contains mainly Sn oxide.    Pref. an amorphous Si semiconductor layer is formed on the Sn oxide layer, and a back electrode formed on the Si layer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as a window glass panel for an automobile, e.g. as a etc. Used to provide power for driving a ventilator or other piece of electronic equipment in the car. Excellent appearance and visible light transmittance. @(19pp)@    (US5149351-A)      Curved solar panel mfr. for an automobile comprises, 1) heating a glass sheet and coating a transparent electroconductive film on one side of the sheet; 2) heating and bending the coated glass sheet into a concave shape while limiting the rise of resistance value of the conductive film; 3) forming a photoelectric conversion layer on the film and forming a back electrode on the photoelectric conversion layer so electricity can be taken out between the transparent electroconductive film and the back electrode and 4) forming a protective layer on the photoelectric conversion layer which faces the inside of the automobile.    Thickness of the electroconductive film is 300-10000 Angstrom.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Grid electrode, collective busbar etc. of the solar cell are not visible from inside the automobile so good appearance and visible light-transmittance are obtd. Glare is reduced from the highly reflective metal.
(JP95045718-B2)      The electrode is coated with a polymer or a clay film comprising at least one redox agent. The electrode is used by immersing it together with a reference electrode in electrolytic soln., and visible light irradiating while applying a voltage of -0.7 - +1.0 V (vs.NHE) to electrolyse the soln.    Pref. the coating film comprises dispersed Mn complexes. The electrode is coated with a polyanion polymer film or a clay film comprising dispersed Ru complexes. The electrolysis is performed using multiple electrolytic cells connected in series, and more pref., the semiconductor electrodes are exposed so light can be radiated.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The electrode is stable for a longer time. Thus, a long life electrolytic appts., photocell, or energy storage appts. can be mfd.
(US5326719-A)      A thin film semiconductor coating is deposited on a substrate by dissolving the semiconductor in a molten metal solvent, and subsequently pptd. the semiconductor from soln. The solvent is a mixt. of a 1st metal which forms a eutectic with the semiconductor, having a eutectic below the m.pt. of the pure metal, and a 2nd metal or mixt. of metals which in their pure state have a m.pt. below the eutectic mixt. of 1st metal and semiconductor.    The 1st metal is pref. An and the semiconductor is Si. The 2nd metal is at least one of Al, Bi, Cd, Ga, Hg, In, Pb, Sb, Sn, Tl, Zn, Ag, Cu, Ni, Pd and Pt. The substrate is pref. soda lime glass.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In the prodn. of solar cells. A high purity thin Si film is deposited at relatively low temps. efficiently and economically.
(US4948740-A)      Separating grooves in the thick-film semiconductor layer necessary for forming conductive connections between the cells are produced through a lift-off technique. The stripe pattern needed for the lift-off technique is applied onto a substrate having structured base electrodes. The stripe pattern is applied as a paste in a silk-screening method before the surface-wide deposition of the thick-film semiconductor and is removed before the deposition of the cover electrode layer. Involved mechanical parting methods are avoided.    A polycrystalline silicon layer can be used as a thick-film and the solar cell manufactured can be combined via an optical coupler with a solar cell based on amorphous, hydrogenated silicon (a-Si:H). An a-Si:H cell comprising two transparent electrodes can be wired as the front cell.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For series-interconnection of thick-film solar cells. Cost-beneficial because it can be easily automated and allows high throughput. (6pp)
(GB2214711-B)      The photovoltaic cell comprises a substrate (11), a transparent electrode (12) formed and layered on the substrate (11) and an amorphous semiconductor layer (13) formed and layered on the transparent electrode (12). A backside electrode is formed and layered on the semiconductor layer (13) at the location opposite to the transparent electrode (12) in the manner of sandwiching the amorphous semiconductor layer (13). A positive output terminal (12a) extends from the transparent electrode (12) and a negative output terminal (12b) is separated from the transparent electrode (12).    The transparent electrode (12), the amorphous semiconductor layer (13) and the backside electrode (14) form a generator areas. Output terminals (12a,14a) are provided on the transparent electrode (12) and the backside electrode (14) for supplying an output from the photovoltaic cell. A protection film (15) covers the transparent electrode (12), the amorphous semiconductor layer (13) and the backside electrode (14) except output terminals (12a,14a). A thermosetting polymer conductive layer (16) is formed on each output terminal (12a,14a) and has lead wires (18) soldered there.    ADVANTAGE -   Connection of improved strength and durability.
(GB2214238-B)      A hydraulically operated multiple tubed accumulator-turbine system comprising first and second multiple tubed accumulators coupled together, each accumulator comprising a plurality of accumulator tubes each enclosing a reciprocable piston, pipework to supply hydraulic fluid to each tube beneath the piston therein and to discharge hydraulic fluid therefrom, a tank connected to each tube above the piston therein, an air and vacuum changeover value forming means to sequentially apply suction/vacuum above the piston within the tubes to raise the pistons, to terminate the application of suction when the piston reaches its uppermost raised position and to supply air pressure within the tubes above the pistons, whereby the pistons subsequently descend under gravity and under the action of the air pressure to pressurise the hydraulic fluid, a pressure discharge line for hydraulic fluid from the accumulators and which is in fluid communication with a turbine to drive the turbine, and, means for coupling the fluid from the accumulators alterantely to the discharge line.
(US4999308-A)      Thin film solar cell is produced by firstly forming transparent electrically conductive film (I) on transparent substrate (II). Film (I) is then formed into pattern of transparent electrodes. Amorphous-Si layer (III), having p-i-n junction structure is formed on (I) through transparent electrodes. Metal electrode patterns are coated and hardened on layer (III) by printing method. Finally, laser light beam is focussed and applied on overlapping portions where metal electrodes with transparent electrodes, thereby removing layer (III) at lower portions of spaces between metal electrode patterns, and crystallising layer (III) at overlapping portions, contacting removed portions.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell obtd has increased durability to high temps and high humidity such that pointed electrodes can serve as rear electrodes. (9pp)
(EP347471-A)      The solar cell array produces electromotive force in response to incident light to drive MOSFET gates for use as a semiconductor relay. The manufacture of a crystalline silicon semiconductor used as a solar cell for the semiconductor relay requires too many mask patterns and complicated processes. This involves difficulties in device integration and thin-film formation, resulting in an increase in the cost. The invention provides a solar cell where a great number of semiconductor cells of amorphous silcion are connected in series to drive MOSFEt gates.
(US4964713-A)      A concentrator arrangement comprising a number of solar cells, a plate made of a transparent material with a refractive index of more than 1.45. The plate has a flat upper side and an underside which is connected to trough-shaped non-imaging concentrator elem-ents having parabolically curved side wall. The concentrator elem-ents present parabolically curved mirror surfaces facing the sky. The parabolically curved mirror surfaces are constructed on con-centrator elements which are rectangular or in plan view.    The concentrator elements which are square in plan view are optically coupled as second stages with linear unidimensional concentrator elements serving as first stages. The concentrator a elements which are rectangular in plan view are provided with parabolically curved side walls in the direction of light incidence, the elements consisting of two materials with different refractive indices.    ADVANTAGE -   Higher concentration factor.@(9pp)@    (DE3741477-C)      The static optical array (10) for concentrating solar energy in both east/west and north/south directions comprises a plate (11) of transparent material with a refractive index greater than 1.45 and planar incident surface (12). The lower and light emergent surfaces are formed as a multiple optical matrix providing a first stage of energy concentration via 2D rectangular paraboloid elements (14) followed by a second stage on non-imaging concentration via 3D elements (15).    The semiconductor photo=voltaic cells (6) are designed to afford minimum masking of incident energy at contact grips and busbar collectors.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Two stage optical construction maximises collected energy at all elevations and attitudes of sun's transit without resort to expensive tracking devices. Design minimises requirement for costly materials of very high refractive index. (5pp)
(US5026256-A)      The operation of a variable speed electric driven pump turbine is monitored continuously during pumping to detect the operation point of the pump turbine, and to prevent it from falling into a hump characteristic region, which is recognisable on a graph of total dynamic head versus flow rate. Stalling occurs in the hump characteristic region as a result of a partial reverse flow of the water w.r.t. the runner.    When the operation point of the pump turbine approaches the hump characteristic region, a corrective action is taken that includes increasing the output level of the electric driven pump turbine to increase its rotating speed, temporarily.    ADVANTAGE -   Reliable and stable control of pump or pump turbine. @(17pp)@
(US4861387-A)      A solar cell comprises a body in which a photoelectric element is formed and on which an adhesive layer contg. at least one convexly shaped member is buried. A transparent plate is adhered to the structure by use of the adhesive layer.    ADVANTAGE -   The design reduces the risk of peeling in the structure due to adhesive failure. It is esp. suitable for use on artificial satellites, where temp. charges are very wide e.g. -196 to +140 deg.C.    (DE3829248-C2)      Solar cell comprises a solar cell wafer (1), forming a photoelectric element, with appropriate electrical connections, a transparent plate (2) for protection of the wafer from external action on the light-receiving side, bonded to the wafer by an adhesive layer (3). A number of convex parts (6) of transparent material are selectively distributed over the wafer, embedded in the adhesive layer which is at least as thick as the parts. Pref. adhesive and convex part compsn. is silicone resin.    ADVANTAGE -   High level of reliability, no peeling off of adhesive.
(US4875944-A)      Amorphous photoelectric converting device is formed by placing one on top of the other a series of photoelectric elements each comprising a thin film of p-i-n structure. The p-type layer and n-type layer of adjacent elements are made of microcrystalline silicon so that good ohmic contact is established while the p-type layer of microcrystalline silicon contg. boron in an amt. sufficient to neutralize the donor atoms with diffuse from the adjacent n-type layer, when the device is left to stand at high temps.    The concn. of boron ranges from 3 x 10 power 20 to 2 x 10 power 21 atoms cm(-3).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Solar cells and photosensors. Efficiency is retained despite exposure to heat over long periods of time. (First major country equivalent to J01076778-A)
(US4879251-A)      A series-connected, thin-film solar cell module of crystalline silicon is produced by firstly applying an electrically conductive layer (I) over the surface of a large-area substrate of glass or ceramic. A polycrystalline, p-doped silicon layer (II) is applied to the surface of (I) which has a grain size of 200-500 meters. A pn-microjunction is formed in (II), by introducing n-dopant atoms or, respectively, ions. Trenches are formed in (I) and (II) to produce strips where the trenches extend down on to the surface of the substrate, with a spacing of 1-2 cm. The trenches are then filled with an electrically insulating material. Holes are formed for the series-interconnection of the individual cells, which are formed to a depth in (II), until (I) which forms the back electrode is exposed. Finally, a metallic grid structure is applied to the surface of (II) with a silk screening method, such that the grid structure forms a front electrode and also forms an electrical contact to the back electrode of the respectively neighbouring strip cell that lies exposed through the holes.    ADVANTAGE -   Large area substrates can be used and the cost for silicon material is reduced, and the electrical interconnections are integrated into the manufacturing process. (6pp)
(US4804855-A)      The hydromotive machine comprises a bulkhead assembly comprised of an array of water tubes. They are connected to each other in parallel to provide a truss-like integral unit with water flow paths through it.    Submersible hydraulic electromotive machines, which are generators and/or pumps, are mounted on the bulkhead assembly with runners of the machines disposed within respective water flow paths provided by the water tubes. The apparatus includes a refuse screen and/or valves associated with the water tubes to control the flow of water.    USE -   Turbine generator sets for hydroelectric power installations and pump systems for irrigation of water. (25pp)
(US4952852-A)      The generator-motor apparatus has a main transformer, a secondary winding of which is coupled to an electric power system. The power system breaker is connected to a primary winding of the main transformer. A synchronising breaker is connected in series with the power system breaker. A generator-motor has a rotor mechanically coupled to the pump-turbine and an armature winding connected to the power system through the synchronising breaker, the power system breaker and the main transformer.    An excitation circuit, includes a frequency converter for supplying a field winding of the generator-motor with AC voltage of the variable frequency and a converter transformer for feeding the converter, which is branched from a junction of the power system breaker and the synchronising breaker.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Economical protection measures for use in variable speed pumping-up electric power plant. @(11pp)@    (EP303171-B2)      The generator-motor apparatus has a generator-motor (18) with an armature winding and a field winding, a rotor of which is mechanically coupled with a prime mover-load. A main transformer (12) is provided between one of the windings of the generator-motor and an electric power system. A synchronising breaker (16) connects the one winding of the generator-motor with the electric power system through the main transformer. An excitation circuit includes a frequency converter (34) for exciting the other winding of the generator-motor (18) and a converter transformer (30) connected to the frequency converter (34).    A power system breaker (14), is connected in series with the main transformer (12), between the electric power system (10) and the synchronising breaker (16). The excitation circuit is branched from a junction (28) between the synchronising breaker (16) and a series connection of the main transformer (12) and power system (14).    USE -   Esp. in pumped storage system.
(US4920277-A)      The hydro-power plant apparatus has a pump turbine (2) which exhibits a S-shaped characteristics in a turbine operation region and includes variable guide vanes (11), and a generator (1) with a frequency converter. It is so constructed as to be driven by the pump turbine and to hold a frequency of a generated electric power equal to a frequency of an electric power system (4) in spite of the fact that a rotating speed (N) of the pump turbine (2) is changed in conformity with an operating state.    The control system for the variable speed hydro-power plant apparatus detects an approach of a turbine operating point of the variable speed hydro-power plant apparatus to an unstable turbine operation region, and lowers rotating speed of the pump turbine.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents operation entering unstable turbine operation region of S-shaped characteristics at start of pump turbine. @(18pp)@    (JP8205593-A)      The systems apparatus has a pump turbine (2)which exhibits an S-shaped characteristics in a turbine operation region and has variable guide vanes (11). A generator (1) has a frequency converter constructed to be driven by the pump turbine (2) and to hold a frequency of a generated electric power. This is equal to a frequency of an electric power system (4) in spite of the fact that a rotating speed (N) of the pump turbine (2) is changed in conformity with an operating state.    When the turbine operating point of the variable speed hydro-power plant is detected in the instable turbine operation region, the rotating speed (N) of the pump turbine (2) is lowered. The generators (1) primary winding (1a) is connected to the electric power system (4) through a secondary excitation control unit (3).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Control system for variable speed hydro-power plant apparatus where stable and reliable turbine operation is guaranteed. Drip into S-shaped characteristics turbine operation region is avoided.
(US4859866-A)      The arrangement enables power generation on both ebb and flow tides. One or more turbines (8) are used of a type designed for Each turbine is mounted in a wall (7) which unidirectional divides an enclosed space into a first area (4a) which can be brought into communication with the tidal water source (3) and a second area which can be brought into communication with a basin (2) separated from the source. Adjustable sluices (9a,9b,10a,10b) are associated with each area and arranged so that, irrespective of the tide direction, the sluices can be adjusted to cause water to flow only in the unidirection through the turbine.    The enclosed space may be provided by a walled enclosure which includes a part (1a) of the length of a barrage wall (1) extending across the water source. Pref. the walled enclosure is rectangular comprising two side walls (5) and a rear wall (6) and the wall (7) in which the turbine (8) is mounted extends from the part length (1a) of the barrage wall to the rear wall. The turbine wall (7) is extended to divide the basin into two subbasins (2a,2b) to enable prolonged power generation to occur and economy in turbine numbers to be made by double use of them. (5pp)
(GB2207710-B)      An area of open sea adjacent to the coast line where there is shallow water not exceeding approximately 15 metres for several km offshore and an exploitable tidal range of not less than approximately 5 metres is impounded by a main barrage to form a basin. A further area to one side of the main barrage (21) is impounded by a wall structure (22,23,24) to form a turbine pond. At least one electric-power generating turbine (25) is mounted in the wall structure or in a further dividing wall.    Pref. the opening through the barrage into the pond is provided with spaced wave-breakers. In another construction form the barrage comprises a series of adjoining sections and, when viewed in plan, in arch-shape being concave on the basin side. The sections are constructed from hollow caissons, e.g. of concrete, floated into position and set by filling with sand.
(US5059254-A)      The glass substrate for a solar cell comprises a glass sheet having a curved surface shape, a light shielding layer along the periphery of the concave surface, and a transparent electroconductive film covering at least part of the light shielding layer and the concave surface. The glass has pref. been strengthened and the electroconductive film contains mainly Sn oxide.    Pref. an amorphous Si semiconductor layer is formed on the Sn oxide layer, and a back electrode formed on the Si layer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as a window glass panel for an automobile, e.g. as a etc. Used to provide power for driving a ventilator or other piece of electronic equipment in the car. Excellent appearance and visible light transmittance. @(19pp)@    (US5149351-A)      Curved solar panel mfr. for an automobile comprises, 1) heating a glass sheet and coating a transparent electroconductive film on one side of the sheet; 2) heating and bending the coated glass sheet into a concave shape while limiting the rise of resistance value of the conductive film; 3) forming a photoelectric conversion layer on the film and forming a back electrode on the photoelectric conversion layer so electricity can be taken out between the transparent electroconductive film and the back electrode and 4) forming a protective layer on the photoelectric conversion layer which faces the inside of the automobile.    Thickness of the electroconductive film is 300-10000 Angstrom.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Grid electrode, collective busbar etc. of the solar cell are not visible from inside the automobile so good appearance and visible light-transmittance are obtd. Glare is reduced from the highly reflective metal.
(US7225442-N)      Liquid metal thermal electric converter comprises a hollow container of metal liquid and vapour. An electrochemical cell in the container has a tube (4) sized to provide a space for the metal between the outer wall of the tube and the inner wall of the container. The tube consists of a material for passing only ionised metal vapour into the tube and has a closed end spaced from the bottom of the container, with a porous electrode on the inner wall of the tube. An internal bus (5) for conducting free electrons from the metal to a load comprises a conductive rod, which is electrically connected to the porous electrode. A vapour condenser (10) condenses the vapour in the tube to liquid.    ADVANTAGE -   Compressive structural loads on the tube, permits series connections of cells, can use alternative working fluids.
(EP338910-B1)      A detector comprising a scintillator for converting a received radiation into another visible radiation having a small wavelength bandwidth or being monochromatic, and further comprising a photosensitive main layer detecting this visible radiation, this layer being constituted by intrinsic or quasi intrinsic amorphous silicium, characterised in that the intrinsic layer is doped with carbon in such a way that the intrinsic amorphous silicium doped with this material presents a curve of quantum efficiency as a function of the wavelength with a maximum in the range of the visible wavelength band emitted by the scintillator.
(US5326719-A)      A thin film semiconductor coating is deposited on a substrate by dissolving the semiconductor in a molten metal solvent, and subsequently pptd. the semiconductor from soln. The solvent is a mixt. of a 1st metal which forms a eutectic with the semiconductor, having a eutectic below the m.pt. of the pure metal, and a 2nd metal or mixt. of metals which in their pure state have a m.pt. below the eutectic mixt. of 1st metal and semiconductor.    The 1st metal is pref. An and the semiconductor is Si. The 2nd metal is at least one of Al, Bi, Cd, Ga, Hg, In, Pb, Sb, Sn, Tl, Zn, Ag, Cu, Ni, Pd and Pt. The substrate is pref. soda lime glass.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In the prodn. of solar cells. A high purity thin Si film is deposited at relatively low temps. efficiently and economically.
(US4946512-A)      The solar energy collector device comprises a composite material comprising a particulate inorganic substance and a metal in the form of a roofing tile or an exterior wall member. At least one solar battery is disposed on an outer surface of the tile or wall member exposed to sun rays. A heating medium passageway underlies at least the region of the tile or wall member where the solar batteries are located.    The particular inorganic substance is ___ selected from the group consisting of Shirasu balloon, tuff loam, diatomaceous earth, and glass fibre. The metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminium, copper and their alloys.    USE -   Solar energy collector for positioning on a building roof. @(12pp)@
(US4948740-A)      Separating grooves in the thick-film semiconductor layer necessary for forming conductive connections between the cells are produced through a lift-off technique. The stripe pattern needed for the lift-off technique is applied onto a substrate having structured base electrodes. The stripe pattern is applied as a paste in a silk-screening method before the surface-wide deposition of the thick-film semiconductor and is removed before the deposition of the cover electrode layer. Involved mechanical parting methods are avoided.    A polycrystalline silicon layer can be used as a thick-film and the solar cell manufactured can be combined via an optical coupler with a solar cell based on amorphous, hydrogenated silicon (a-Si:H). An a-Si:H cell comprising two transparent electrodes can be wired as the front cell.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For series-interconnection of thick-film solar cells. Cost-beneficial because it can be easily automated and allows high throughput. (6pp)
(EP330550-B)      An assembly of deployable elements (3-6) jointed at their outer ends is folded and retained by a rod (13) extending through their centres (19) from a fixture (22) integral with the spacecraft, to a nut (23) threaded on to the end (16). The rod (13) is surrounded by two helical springs (24, 25) bearing upon opposite surfaces of a bowl (27) which can slide along it and in the stowed position rests between the outermost two elements (5, 6). A pyrotechnic device (15) braks the inner end (14) of the rod (13), releasing the traction spring (24) so that the extension spring (25) drives the outermost element (6) to its deployed position.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For solar panels, antennae, heat radiators or deployment arms. Shading of solar cells carried on outer face of outermost panel is eliminated.
(US4931662-A)      A platform supported by teh earth extends above the high water line of the water. Rails are mounted on a rigid beam with a mass movable along the rails of teh beam so that a selected resonant frequency of the apparatus may be obtained. A pivot supported by the platform pivotally supports the beam at a point intermediate the two beam ends. At least one pump is supported by the platform with a connector connecting one end of the beam to the pump so that movement of the beam operates the pump to produce fluid under pressure.    A buoyant member is divided into several compartments and includes an inlet and an outlet to add or remove fluid for each compartment. A universal joint connects the member to the second end of the beam withe member is unrestrained except for the joint which is the only structural connection between the member and the beam. A power generator is operable by the fluid under pressure. (4pp)
(US4999308-A)      Thin film solar cell is produced by firstly forming transparent electrically conductive film (I) on transparent substrate (II). Film (I) is then formed into pattern of transparent electrodes. Amorphous-Si layer (III), having p-i-n junction structure is formed on (I) through transparent electrodes. Metal electrode patterns are coated and hardened on layer (III) by printing method. Finally, laser light beam is focussed and applied on overlapping portions where metal electrodes with transparent electrodes, thereby removing layer (III) at lower portions of spaces between metal electrode patterns, and crystallising layer (III) at overlapping portions, contacting removed portions.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell obtd has increased durability to high temps and high humidity such that pointed electrodes can serve as rear electrodes. (9pp)
(US4907410-A)      Thermal energy of the atmosphere, ocean or seas are utilized by an energy conversion system in which the source fluid gives heat to a working fluid of a prim cover through a first heat exchange.    The cooled source fluid effluent is further cooled in a cooling system which includes a turbine or an expansion device, and is then employed to cool the expanded working fluid of the prime cover.    ADVANTAGE -   Increased heat extraction effeciency. (17pp)
(DE3741485-C)      The solar module has multiple double-side operable solar cells arranged over an arrangement of groove-formed mirrors and partially covering them. The mirrors (12, 13) are semi-circular in cross-section and the solar cells (2-10) are rectangular slabs arranged parallel to one another. The breadth of the slabs is that of the mirror, with each solar cell protruding roughly over a half of the mirror opening.    The cells may be on a transparent non-scattering plate. A current gathering rail may be on the underside of the cells along the upper side of the region between two adjacent mirrors. The cells may be arranged one after the other on the longitudinal direction, with free space between them in the transverse direction.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Solar power generation. High efficiency.    (DE3873757-G)      A solar cell module has a base plate of glass that receives solar energy on the top surface. A reflector construction is mounted on the underside of the plate.    The reflector system is in the form of a number of semicircular section mirror elements arranged in parallel. The end surfaces are also mirrored to minimise energy losses. The elements may be produced in a panel forming operation, with a coating of a good reflecting material on the surface.    ADVANTAGE -   Economically produced reflector of high efficiency.
(US4964713-A)      A concentrator arrangement comprising a number of solar cells, a plate made of a transparent material with a refractive index of more than 1.45. The plate has a flat upper side and an underside which is connected to trough-shaped non-imaging concentrator elem-ents having parabolically curved side wall. The concentrator elem-ents present parabolically curved mirror surfaces facing the sky. The parabolically curved mirror surfaces are constructed on con-centrator elements which are rectangular or in plan view.    The concentrator elements which are square in plan view are optically coupled as second stages with linear unidimensional concentrator elements serving as first stages. The concentrator a elements which are rectangular in plan view are provided with parabolically curved side walls in the direction of light incidence, the elements consisting of two materials with different refractive indices.    ADVANTAGE -   Higher concentration factor.@(9pp)@    (DE3741477-C)      The static optical array (10) for concentrating solar energy in both east/west and north/south directions comprises a plate (11) of transparent material with a refractive index greater than 1.45 and planar incident surface (12). The lower and light emergent surfaces are formed as a multiple optical matrix providing a first stage of energy concentration via 2D rectangular paraboloid elements (14) followed by a second stage on non-imaging concentration via 3D elements (15).    The semiconductor photo=voltaic cells (6) are designed to afford minimum masking of incident energy at contact grips and busbar collectors.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Two stage optical construction maximises collected energy at all elevations and attitudes of sun's transit without resort to expensive tracking devices. Design minimises requirement for costly materials of very high refractive index. (5pp)
(GB2210932-B)      A structure provided with means to derive energy from at least two natural sources, and storage means to store energy, the storage means comprising a weight and drive means powered by the energy sources to raise the weight, such that energy can subsequently be released by lowering the weight, the weight comprising a container, the container having means for storing liquid, for example rain water, such that the weight can be increased when there is ample energy available, or decreased when there is insufficient energy to raise the fully loaded weight.
(GB2210667-B)      The generator device suitable to convert wave energy from the sea to use in, say, the production of electricity comprises a support (6) which may be moved up and down on the shore to accommodate changes in tide level, and float means (14),(44) which can reciprocate in response to the movement of the waves (4). The float is linked through a suitable linkage (20) (46) to a piston and cylinder arrangement (16,18,48) adapted to provide fluid pressure to an energy store device or to a generator.    The piston rods of the arrangements may be operated by a cam (24) which moves in response to the float movement, and the fluid pumped may comprise air or hydraulic fluid.    ADVANTAGE -   Enhanced efficiency.
(US4861387-A)      A solar cell comprises a body in which a photoelectric element is formed and on which an adhesive layer contg. at least one convexly shaped member is buried. A transparent plate is adhered to the structure by use of the adhesive layer.    ADVANTAGE -   The design reduces the risk of peeling in the structure due to adhesive failure. It is esp. suitable for use on artificial satellites, where temp. charges are very wide e.g. -196 to +140 deg.C.    (DE3829248-C2)      Solar cell comprises a solar cell wafer (1), forming a photoelectric element, with appropriate electrical connections, a transparent plate (2) for protection of the wafer from external action on the light-receiving side, bonded to the wafer by an adhesive layer (3). A number of convex parts (6) of transparent material are selectively distributed over the wafer, embedded in the adhesive layer which is at least as thick as the parts. Pref. adhesive and convex part compsn. is silicone resin.    ADVANTAGE -   High level of reliability, no peeling off of adhesive.
(US4875944-A)      Amorphous photoelectric converting device is formed by placing one on top of the other a series of photoelectric elements each comprising a thin film of p-i-n structure. The p-type layer and n-type layer of adjacent elements are made of microcrystalline silicon so that good ohmic contact is established while the p-type layer of microcrystalline silicon contg. boron in an amt. sufficient to neutralize the donor atoms with diffuse from the adjacent n-type layer, when the device is left to stand at high temps.    The concn. of boron ranges from 3 x 10 power 20 to 2 x 10 power 21 atoms cm(-3).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Solar cells and photosensors. Efficiency is retained despite exposure to heat over long periods of time. (First major country equivalent to J01076778-A)
(US4922088-A)      Photosensors are each located on the inner part of respective side grooves of an X-shape cross member, the photosensors all being completely shaded by the light shielding top plate and brought into a no-output state when the solar following sensor is directed toward the sun. The solar following sensor serves to generate a photoelectric output from at least one of the photosensors when being deviated from a direction toward the sun.    A reflector is supported rotatably on the supporting post to be operated to rotate vertically by the driving link. A vertical drive is supported on the supporting post for moving the reflector in an axial direction of the supporting post. A horizontal drive rotates the solar following sensor and reflector about the support post. A control unit regulates the vertical and horizontal drive in accordance with the photoelectric output from at least one of the photosensors of the solar following sensor.    USE -   Automatic solar light with solar-following sensor. (13pp)
(EP308631-B1)      Setting drive within a satellite structure for a tracking antenna, solar panel or the like arranged at the satellite, comprising the following parts: a drive unit consisting of at least one stepping motor, especially with a relatively large radial extent, the rotor of which is connected at one end with a drive shaft, a wiper ring arrangement, which is connected with the other end of the drive shaft, for the transmission of signals and/or electrical energy, and a bearing unit for axial and radial mounting of the drive shaft between the two ends thereof, consisting of two roller bearings set up with constant bias, characterised thereby, that the drive unit (10) is arranged in the interior of the satellite in a region remote from the outer skin of the satellite and the wiper ring arrangement (7) is arranged in the proximity of the satellite outer skin, and that the wiper ring arrangement (7) has a cylindrical wiper ring carrier (2) which engages around a substantial part of the cylindrical stator (18) of the bearing unit (16) with a small air gap (17).
(US4879251-A)      A series-connected, thin-film solar cell module of crystalline silicon is produced by firstly applying an electrically conductive layer (I) over the surface of a large-area substrate of glass or ceramic. A polycrystalline, p-doped silicon layer (II) is applied to the surface of (I) which has a grain size of 200-500 meters. A pn-microjunction is formed in (II), by introducing n-dopant atoms or, respectively, ions. Trenches are formed in (I) and (II) to produce strips where the trenches extend down on to the surface of the substrate, with a spacing of 1-2 cm. The trenches are then filled with an electrically insulating material. Holes are formed for the series-interconnection of the individual cells, which are formed to a depth in (II), until (I) which forms the back electrode is exposed. Finally, a metallic grid structure is applied to the surface of (II) with a silk screening method, such that the grid structure forms a front electrode and also forms an electrical contact to the back electrode of the respectively neighbouring strip cell that lies exposed through the holes.    ADVANTAGE -   Large area substrates can be used and the cost for silicon material is reduced, and the electrical interconnections are integrated into the manufacturing process. (6pp)
(DE3727696-C2)      In generator operation the stator windings are coupled to a supply (N) and the difference angle is ascertained between the stator voltage vector (uS(S)) and the rotor axis (wL(S)). From a preset rotor vector (iL(F)) and the difference angle, control signals for the converter (DU) are formed. In motor mode the rotor is fed from the converter (DU) and the stator winding is sepd. from the supply and short circuited.    From signals corresp. to the supplied currents (i1,i2) there is calculated a model value for the angle between the flux-axis and the supplied winding of an asynchronous machine with short-circuited induction winding. From the preset rotor current, the desired vector (iL(F)) is formed from the model value and the phase shifted control signals (iL(L), uL(L)) for the converter.
(US4889565-A)      The solar cell comprises a single crystal semiconductor wafer having a mesa structure with a light incident photoactive surface. A junction in the measa is such that the periphery of the mesa defines the periphery of the junction. A conductive grid is in conductive contact with the photoactive surface, such that at least a portion of the grid extends continuously across the periphery of the junction. A contact area on the wafer is in conductive contact with the grid outside the periphery of the junction.    A contact layer is in conductive contact with the photoactive surface. A barrier layer is positioned over the contact layer in conductive contact with the photoactive surface through the contact layer. A conductive layer is positioned over the barrier layer to conduct current collected from the photoactive surface across the periphery of the mesa.    USE -   High temp. photovoltaic device (solar cell) using compound semiconductor materials.    (US5116427-A)      The photovoltaic device utilises compound semiconductor materials that are stable when operated at high temperatures. Hostile environments such as those generated by use of light concentrating systems, require encapsulation of the device. Sealing of the photo-active junction, the conductive grid, the exposed semiconductor surfaces and the pads contacting the grid away from the junction area provide such thermal stability.    A heterojunction structure can be used along with barrier materials providing a conductive grid in contact with the photo-active surface thus reducing interdiffusion of that surface with the conductive grid.    USE -   Solar cell for space application.
(DE3725723-C)      The display unit is turned by an electromotor (9) supplied by a solar cell arrangement (8). The motor revolves a mirror, turntable or moves an advertising face. The solar cell system is arranged inside the housing of the set-up which is at least partly of transparent material.    The motor may be either inside or outside the housing, and is pref. a gear motor. A buffer accumulator may be provided to maintain operation of the motor. Different physical forms of the housing, and different lay-outs are described.    ADVANTAGE -   Mains independent. Sufficient number of solar cells accommodated to supply electromotor irrespective of orientation of unit.
(US4862814-A)      The burner has an electrically powered torch which generates a continuous plasma which extends into a devolatilisation zone of the burner. Primary conduits are provided for directing a primary supply of dense phase pulverised coal into the devolatilisation zone. The burner is constructed also to include a combustion zone which surrounds the devolatilisation zone. Secondary conduits are provided for directing a secondary supply of pulverised coal into the combustion zone along with a supply of combustion supporting air.    The operation of the burner the secondary supply of pulverised coal is entrained in the air and is carried into the combustion zone by way of a swirl device and, once in the combustion zone, the coal-air mixture is contacted by partially combusted volatiles and carbon particles that move radially outward from the devolatilisation zone.    USE -   Burner for combustion pulverised coal and as igniter for main burners in steam raising plant.
(US4859866-A)      The arrangement enables power generation on both ebb and flow tides. One or more turbines (8) are used of a type designed for Each turbine is mounted in a wall (7) which unidirectional divides an enclosed space into a first area (4a) which can be brought into communication with the tidal water source (3) and a second area which can be brought into communication with a basin (2) separated from the source. Adjustable sluices (9a,9b,10a,10b) are associated with each area and arranged so that, irrespective of the tide direction, the sluices can be adjusted to cause water to flow only in the unidirection through the turbine.    The enclosed space may be provided by a walled enclosure which includes a part (1a) of the length of a barrage wall (1) extending across the water source. Pref. the walled enclosure is rectangular comprising two side walls (5) and a rear wall (6) and the wall (7) in which the turbine (8) is mounted extends from the part length (1a) of the barrage wall to the rear wall. The turbine wall (7) is extended to divide the basin into two subbasins (2a,2b) to enable prolonged power generation to occur and economy in turbine numbers to be made by double use of them. (5pp)
(GB2207710-B)      An area of open sea adjacent to the coast line where there is shallow water not exceeding approximately 15 metres for several km offshore and an exploitable tidal range of not less than approximately 5 metres is impounded by a main barrage to form a basin. A further area to one side of the main barrage (21) is impounded by a wall structure (22,23,24) to form a turbine pond. At least one electric-power generating turbine (25) is mounted in the wall structure or in a further dividing wall.    Pref. the opening through the barrage into the pond is provided with spaced wave-breakers. In another construction form the barrage comprises a series of adjoining sections and, when viewed in plan, in arch-shape being concave on the basin side. The sections are constructed from hollow caissons, e.g. of concrete, floated into position and set by filling with sand.
(DE3724648-C)      Thin sheets are joined with their edges to each other by designing the edges with trapezoidal teeth which are offset in one sheet from those in the other by one pitch. The teeth are then folded over the gaps in the other sheet and the ends are finally bent through 45 deg.    Specifically both edges of the two thin sheets (10,11) receive trapezoidal teeth (12,13), sepd. by trapezoidal gaps and offset so that the teeth can be bent in the gaps of the other sheet end (14,15). Both sheets are then bent to the required angle from each other (16,17).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For the bodywork of motor vehicles, joining zinc-plated parts to lacquered parts, cardboard packages, steel furniture, PVC plates joined to metal sheets, spacecraft applications, solar and battery mfr., lead protective screens against radiation. This joins even coated sheets safely and without detrimental effect on the appearance, also materials which are difficult to weld and requires no final dressing.
(EP365600-B1)      A method of calming the high seas by removing wind and wave energy throughout a selected deep water area anywhere on the surface of a large body of water and in practically any sea state, said method comprising the steps of providing a clustered plurality of independent submersible seagoing waveconverters, each of said waveconverters comprising a subsurface wave energy removing means (28, 30, 50), distributing said clustered plurality of waveconverters throughout said selected deep water area, providing each of said wave energy removing means (28, 30, 50) with a prearranged wavelength-selective responsiveness to wave induced subsurface water movement, the wavelength-selective responsiveness of said wave energy removing means (28, 30, 50) being such that, in the presence of practically any prevailing deep water sea state, the wave energy extracting operations of said wave energy removing means (28, 30, 40) contribute, by virtue of their moderating action upon the overall sea subspectrum, to the overall effect of reducing the ratio of sea height to swell height within said selected deep water area to a substantially small fraction of the ratio of sea height to swell height simultaneously prevailing in the open-sea approaches to said selected deep water area of said large body of water, and    assigning to said independent a submersible seagoing water converters the additional function of providing a wave stabilized supporting platform (2) for a wind energy removing means (101), thereby automatically converting said wave stabilized independent seagoing wind-waveconverter comprising a wave energy removing means (28, 30, 50) and a wind energy removing means (101).
(DE3819708-C)      A circular loom to produce a woven tissue with radial warp threads and peripheral weft threads in a certain configuration is used for the mfr. of cores to produce parabolic mirrors for satellite antennae, infrared telescopes or solar heat collectors. Shuttles (2) hold the warp threads (1) in turn by upper (4) and lower (5) clamping devices. Clamps (7) for the peripheral weft threads produce a compact woven tissue. A weft thread turning device (51) causes the weft threads (6) to pass through the open warp shed created by the warp shuttles. A spherical or parabolic template (11) retains the desired shape of the woven article.    ADVANTAGE -   This requires no subsequent deformation of the woven tissue, resulting in any deterioration of the qualities of the prod.    (US4938270-A)      Spherical cloth weaving machine with shuttle chucks in which radially stretched warp yarns and circumferentially running weft yarns are woven into a desired spherical shape e.g. to form basis for a parabolic mirror.    This comprises mechanism for moving warp yarn alternately by shuttle chucks holding selected warp yarns at outer peripheral portions, mechanism for hooking the circumferential weft yarn and beating it towards centre of warp yarns to compact fabric, weft yarn rotating mechanism to pass weft yarn through shed of warp yarns and mechanism for maintaining the woven fabric in a spherical shape.    USE -   Produces improved spherically shaped fabric with regular yarn distribution. @(9pp )@
(DE3819011-C)      Mirror includes a base plate made of carbon fibre reinforced fibre layers, which have an orientation which changes from layer to layer e.g. by crossing one another, a reflective glass layer ont he base plate, and a metal layer on the mirror glass layer. The base plate is formed by a carbon matrix with laminated carbon fibres, with an orientation of 0/0 degs., 0/90 degs., 0/+/- 45/90 degs. and 0/+/- 60 degs. The carbon fibres make up 20-65% of the carbon matrix vol. The base plate density is 1.6-1.96 g/cm3 in density.    ADVANTAGE -   The mirror has good mechanical characteristics, is light in weight and has good thermal properties.
(JP95064521-B2)      The device comprises double circular spaces formed by an inner and an outer tube and a partition cylinder, reforming catalyst filled in an upper half of the circular spaces, a reaction tube for heat exchange between material gas and reaction gas, a burner for heating the catalyst and a furnace container. Carbon monoxide transforming catalyst is filled in the upper half of the inner space.    USE -   Density of carbon monoxide can be reduced. Load on a carbon monoxide transformer in the downstream can be reduced.
(US4972140-A)      A magnetic-sensitive element is disposed in a gap provided in a core and a current value is detected from an output of the magnetic-sensitive element according to a current to be detected.    A core skirt accommodates the core and a core stopper for fixing the core. The magnetic-sensitive element is mounted on a substrate, and core skirt having engaging portions for locating the magnetic-sensitive element, respectively, provided thereon.    ADVANTAGE -   High accuracy of element placement. @(11pp)@
(US4948680-A)      Solid O(2-) conducting material for use as an electrolyte for a fuel cell consists of a monocrystal or polycrystal structure with the formula A1-xBxZ, where A is independently selected from La, Ce, Nd, Pr, Sc or mixtures of these and B is independently selected from Sr, Ca, Ba or Mg, and X is 0-0.9999, Z is selected form the gp. F3-x and OcFd, where F is fluorine, O is oxygen, x is 0-0.9999 and 2c+d = 3-x; c is between 0.0001 and 1.5 and d is between 0.0001 and less than or = 3, such that when A is La, Z is F3-x and x is O, the solid crystal is a nimocrystal.    ADVANTAGE -   Can be operated at relatively low temps_ (41pp)
(JP2590526-B2)      The appts. for refilling a matrix type fuel battery (10) with an electrolyte includes a tank (28) contg. the electrolyte. When valve (30) opens, electrolyte is conveyed under pressure to a vertical header (20). The electrolyte is then transported through supply pipes (23) to the cell (1). When the liq. level sensor (31) detects the upper limit of the electrolyte, the valve closes. The electrolyte flow resistance in the supply pipes is larger than in the header.    ADVANTAGE -   Time taken for refilling battery with electrolyte is shortened. Electrolyte in the header and supply pipes can be returned to the electrolyte tank preventing sticking. Problems due to liq. leakage, pressure and breakdown voltage intensity are eliminated.
(US4879189-A)      Pressurisation air systems are interconnected for higher power plant operating efficiency at part load. Each power generation module air pressurisation subsystem has its own turbocompressor to provide a compressed air supply to its own power generation subsystem at rated power plant load. When load demand on the power plant is reduced, some of the turbocompressors in the interconnected power generation modules in the plant are shut off.    The interconnecting valves are opened so that the remaining turbocompressors can supply all of the compressed air needed by all of the power generation subsystems in the interconnected power generation modules.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For operating pressures of 35 psig or higher. Low fuel consumption, thus, higher efficiency.
(US4943494-A)      Modular solid oxide fuel cell arrangement comprises a) a solid oxide fuel cell having an anode, a cathode and a solid electrolyte between them and responsive to an oxidant and a fuel gas provided to it for converting chemical energy of the fuel gas to dc electrical energy; and b) block means coupled to a) to provide support for a). b) has fuel and oxidant delivery means for respectively providing fuel gas and oxidant to a), and further having exhaust means for removing exhaust gases from a). Pref. b) comprises a ceramic block esp. one of the low density and one which is heated treated to 1600 deg C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   SOFC module arrangement is provided for repetitive use in a stacked matrix array of fuel cells. @(14pp)
(GB2219125-B)      The electrolyte is a ceramic oxide, e.g. zirconia, through which oxygen ions migrate from a dissociated oxidant, e.g. oxygen, to a fuel, e.g. methane, which is thereby oxidised to produce electric current. The fuel and the oxygen pass through multiple respective channels in a block of the ceramic oxide so as to maximise the interaction between them.    The block temp. is controlled at a high level, i.e. at approx. 1,000 K, without permitting damage from temp. runaway. This is achieved by means of a 3 dimensional channel arrangement through the block for, fuel, oxygen and inert gas coolant respectively. The channels and hot spots in the block can then be controlled selectively.
(US4985315-A)      Material of an amorphous structure is based on K hydrodisilicate (I) and oxometallates (II) up to a molar ratio of about 1:5 to (I) to (II).    Doping elements of gp. (III), about 50 mol. % Si ions, and about 50 mol. % of K ions are replaced by bivalent ions of similar ionic radius as the K ions. Additionally, Si02 is contd. on a molar basis, up to 4 times the combined amt. of the Si ions and the doping elements.    Pref. the metal ions of (II) are transition metals, esp. at least one of titanates, vanadates, chromates, zirconates, niobates, molybdates, hafnates, tantalates and wolframates.    USE -   New material is a proton conductor adapted for use in fuel cells. (4pp)
(JP2577037-B2)      A two stage catalyst combustion type reformer comprising reactors to reform hydrocarbons and heaters consisting of two stage combustion catalyst layer to heat reactors. The reformer has a honeycomb structured gas mixing part between the first and second combustion catalyst layers. The gas mixing part has gas supply parts and passes are formed to flow fuel gas and flow combustion gas contg. O2 from the first stage catalyst layer at a right angle to the flow of fuel gas and uniformly mix then to flow then to the second stage catalyst layer.    USE -   To forcedly mix fuel gas and gas from the first combustion catalyst layer to uniformly mix them.
(US34248-E)      Solid electrolyte fuel cell comprises first and second electrodes in face-to-face arrangement, separated by a solid electrolyte body. The first electrode is permeable to an oxidiser and fuel, to allow them to flow through to the electrolyte, while the second electrode is impermeable. The electrolyte is of an insulating material ionically conducting to at least one ionic species, pref. H, and is permeable to the prods. of electrochemical reactions.    ADVANTAGE -   Fuel and oxidiser can be supplied from one side of the cell, e.g. in integrated circuits.
(US4895774-A)      Molten carbonate fuel cell comprises a) a pair of conductive electrodes; b) an electrolyte body sandwiched between electrodes a), and comprising an electrolyte of an alkali carbonate mixt. (I), more than 5-15 mol.% of magnesium carbonate, relative to the mixt. (I), and an electrolyte-retaining material; c) fuel-supplying means for supplying a fuel gas to one of electrodes a); and d) oxidant-supplying means for supplying an oxidant gas to the other of electrodes a). Pref. mixt. (I) is a mixt. of lithium carbonate and at least one of potassium carbonate and sodium carbonate.    ADVANTAGE -   New cell has long life and outflow of electrolyte from the electrolyte body is reduced to prevent an increase in internal resistance and occurrence of gas crossover.
(US5096674-A)      Endothermic reaction equipment for use in a feed modifying equipment for producing H-rich gas for a fuel cell, has a number of reaction tubes (2), spaced round a furnace container (4), and a burner (3) supported on the tubes. The tube has an inner vertical partition wall (5), dividing it into outer and inner tubular spaces (8,9), communicating at the lower end. Catalyst (12) is put in the lower halves of the spaces to form outer and inner catalyst layers (10,11). Heat conductive particles (22) fill the upper halves of the spaces to form a heat exchange portion. A heat insulating layer (13) is provided on the lower half of the partition wall.    ADVANTAGE -   Outlet of the catalyst layer is kept at a sufficiently high temp. for the reaction to proceed.    (JP94038907-B2)      Endothermic reactor comprises reactor tube which comprises concentric partition cylinder, outer and inner-cylinders between which are formed annular spaces, feed gas inlet and reaction gas outlet, and furnace container which comprises burner, and combustion gas path. Portion of partition cylinder which is inside catalyst-filled section between feed gas inlet and reaction gas outlet has heat insulating layer.    ADVANTAGE -   High temp. for endothermic reaction can be maintained at terminal point of catalyst-filled section.
(US4873155-A)      The manifold has electrolyte and cooling solutions charged and discharged through pipes penetrating the manifold. It comprises a seal layer covering the periphery of one of the walls of the fuel cell stack. A frame-shaped seal spacer has one side in airtight contact with the seal layer. The seal spacer includes a bore for securing airtightly a penetrating portion of one of the pipes, and a manifold cover mounted airtightly on the opposite side of the seal spacer with a packing.    The depth of the manifold cover is large enough to accommodate the pipes protruding from the seal spacer.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved structure with manifold which does not obstruct pipe connecting operation. (First major country equivalent to J01231274)
(US4950562-A)      Solid electrolyte-type fuel cell consists of a solid electrolyte plate (11), formed on both sides with a porous cathode (12) and a porous anode (13). The plates are assembled together through interconnectors (14) and external terminals (15, 16) are provided at both ends of the assembly. The interconnector consists of a heat-resistant alloy contg. Cr, Co, Ni, Fe or Mn, on which a coating is applied of a composite metal oxide expressed by La1-xM1xM2O3, where M1 is an alkaline earth metal, M2 is Co, Fe, Mn, Ni or Cr and x is less than 1. Grooves (14a, 16b) define gas passages.    ADVANTAGE -   Increased integration, high reliability. @(21pp)@
(JP96034105-B2)      System comprises a controllable air inlet, an O2-depleted outlet, a sensor in the outlet for monitoring O2 content, a recycle loop for recycling exhaust back to the inlet, an inlet monitor for the total inlet flow of O2, a plant power output monitor, and a control system linked to the monitors for calculating O2 utilisation of the cathodes and adjusting the amt. of air admitted to the inlet accordingly.    ADVANTAGE -   O2 starvation of the fuel cells is minimised (claimed).
(US4895576-A)      In a method of bonding a dense, electronically conductive interconnection layer on a porous, electronically conductive, electrode structure (I), firstly a layer of metal oxide particles, the metal being Ca, Sr, Co, Ba, Mg or mixts. of these, is formed on a portion of a first surface of (I). (I) is then heated. A metal halide vapour, comprising lanthanum halide and chromium halide, is applied to the first surface of (I), and a source of oxygen is applied to a second, opposite surface of (I), so that oxygen contacts the metal halide vapour at the first surface of (I), to cause a reaction of the oxygen with the metal halide vapour and to cause a dense lanthanum-chromium oxide structure (II) to grow from the first surface of (I), between and around the metal oxide particles, where metal ions in the metal oxide particles start to diffuse into (II), as it grows thicker, with time. Finally, the electrode-lanthanum-chromium oxide structure is heat annealed in air, at a temp. and for a time, effective to cause the metal ions in the metal oxide particles to diffuse throughout the bulk of (II), to provide a dense, top, electronically conductive interconnection layer on (I), with complete disappearance of the metal oxide particles.    ADVANTAGE -   Disadvantages of known methods, e.g. thermal expansion mismatch, Mn leaching from the air electrode etc., are overcome simply and economically.
(US5156926-A)      Appts. comprises (a) heat exchanger device to withdraw heat and cooling material flows carried from the fuel cell, for pptn. of condensates; (b) gas washing unit to separate catalyst gas from flows and sepg. residual fuel components from flows removed from tank; and (c) device to feed sepd. exhaust gas and components back into fuel cells. Heat exchanger device uses withdrawn heat, to heat and evaporate the material flows, for supply to the fuel cell. The pptn. device pref. reprocesses dissolved CO2 into ambient air. The flow from fuel cell is pref. in a closed loop.    USE -   Generating electrical energy from fuels, using electrochemically acting fuel cells. Avoids residues harmful to the environment.
(DE3810113-C2)      Prepn of the gases H2 and CO2, necessary for the operation of high temp. fuel cells with oxygen ion-conducting electrolytes comprises heating the reformer, and removing the CO2 contained in the exhaust gas of the reformer heater in a CO2 wash and recycling the fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Exhaust gas not necessary is removed without further treatment.
(EP336322-B1)      A process for producing a lithium aluminate powder having a large specific surface area, which comprises contacting a y-lithium aluminate powder with water to form a hydrate, followed by heating the hydrate to decompose the hydrate and remove the combined water.    (US5252315-A)      Li aluminate powder, as carrier of modified catalyst for carbonate fuel cell, with specific surface area of at least 30 m2/g, is mfd. by contacting a lower specific surface area gamma Li aluminate powder with water and an organic solvent contg. at least one hydroxyl gp., to form a hydrate, and then heating the hydrate at 300-1000 deg.C to remove combined water and decompose the hydrate.    ADVANTAGE -   Large specific surface area with well grown pores.    (JP2539483-B2)      Gamma Li AlO2 powder is contacted with H2O and obtd. hydrate heated e.g. at 300-1000 deg.C to remove H2O and form porous LiAlO2 powder prod. (I). H2O may be mixed with an organic solvent contg. -OH e.g. MeOH or EtOH.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   (I) is resistant to corrosive action of alkali carbonate and is useable as a carrier for internally modified catalysts in the fuel circuit of molten carbonate type fuel cells where (I) shows high modifying activity and long life.
(JP92058414-B)      Bi2O3, major component, Nb2O5, 5-10 mol.% and a trivalent rare earth oxide, Y2O3, 5-20 mol.% are mixed to form a solid.    ADVANTAGE -   The high oxygen ion conductor is used as solid electrolyte used in a fuel cell power generating system, steam electrolytic system, oxygen pump or oxygen sensor. The high oxygen ion conductor has good conductivity at a wide temp. range, 500-800 deg.C. When the high conductor is used in the fuel cell power, the conductor obtains the same current at 550 deg.C as that of conventional ZrO2 electrolyte operated at 1000 deg.C. The conductor has no possiblity of corrosion. (J01215723-A)
(JP96034107-B2)      A fuel cell plant includes a power section which has a cooling water circulating system. Water is stored in a tank and is decontaminated in a separate vessel. A first conduit carries water from the storage tank to the decontamination vessel, a second interconnects the decontamination vessel and the power section, a third conduit carries clean water from the vessel to the tank, and a fourth conduit carries contaminated water from the power section to the storage tank. Water is discharged to the ambient from the third conduit when the amt. of water in the storage tank exceeds a predetermined vol.    ADVANTAGE -   Only clean water is discharged to ambient.
(GB2215904-B)      Dry fuel cell stack assembly includes a pair of opposed electrodes positioned between first and second plates, a matrix plate between the electrodes, a porous paper in the matrix plate, and passages for supplying electrolyte. The paper has sufficient porosity to allow the cell to be assembled before the electrolyte is added.    Pref. the paper includes a sheet of 'TORAY TGP 30' (RTM).    ADVANTAGE -   Cell may be assembled dry.
(US4883724-A)      The control unit includes a fuel cell and a storage battery backup, an auxiliary controller for the fuel cell itself, and an output current controller for controlling current drawn from the fuel cell. The storage battery can be charged for recoveryr within the shortest possible time to reach a target remaining charge capacity under charging conditions that do not cause deterioration of performance of the battery. The system is useful as the power supply in applications subject is sudden load fluctuations.    USE -   For power supplies used in e.g. electric cars and forklift trucks.
(EP349473-B1)      Battery, in particular starter battery for motor vehicles, with a battery housing (1) through which the terminals (4) of the battery extend to the outside, wherein the terminals (4) in each case comprise several electrical connections for a connecting cable, which are electrically connected to the terminal (4), characterised in that the electrical connections are formed by a plug (6) or socket of an electrical plug-in cable connection, comprising several contacts (7), wherein the plug (6) or the socket of this electrical plug-in cable connection is integrated in the battery housing (1) and rigidly connected.
(JP2712084-B2)      The catalyst tube assembly comprises a cylindrical metal tube with a bore which contains the catalyst bed. A coaxial sleeve is fitted around the tube. A number of ribs are located between the tube and sleeve forming helical hot gas flow paths. The ribs have arcuate surfaces which form line contact with the exterior of the tube.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides improved heat transfer to the catalyst tubes increasing the efficiency of the reformer by 5% to 10% of fixed flow rates, or the fuel flow rate can be increased by up to 50% at a fixed reformer efficiency. The assembly is inexpensive to produce easily assembled and produces a tight, yet flexible heat transfer zone.
(US5085254-A)      The empty fibre structure electrode plaques are inserted into a transport device having an adjustable cycle time which passes the plaques through a trough filled with active compound in which the active compound is vibrated. The fibre structure electrode plaques are then removed from the trough, excess active compound is stripped off, sides and the edges of plaque are freed from residues of excess active compound by various brushes.    The filled fibre structure electrode plaque is then removed from the transport device, after prior drying, if required.    USE -   For virtually continuous vibration filling with active compound of empty fibre structure electrode plaques having welded-on current discharge lug for electric accumulators. @(5pp)@    (DE58902070-G)      The fibre structure electrode flames, with a porosity of 50 to 97 per cent are fixed with their tags in a transport carousel (1). This dips them into a container (3) fitted with active-mass paste displaced in oscillations directed perpendicular to the main face of the electrode frame. After completed filling by the transport carousel is then pulled out of the container.    The filled framework is freed from over-abundant active mass paste. First two scrapers scrape off the excess, and then the paste left behind by the scrapers is removed by brushes. The filled and cleaned fibre structure electrode frames are removed from the transport carousel. They are pref. dried before removal from the transport device. Fresh paste may be fed in to replace that being used.    ADVANTAGE -   Rapid. Can be largely automatic. Consistent quality.
(US4973531-A)      The arrangement tightens a stack of fuel cell elements, each cell element including a cathode, an anode and a tile sandwiched by the cathode and the anode. The cell elements are piled up one after another with separators being interposed between them. The arrangement comprises an upper and a lower holders for the fuel cell stack and, an upper and a lower pressure-adjusting members for sandwiching the upper and lower holders. Each pressure-adjusting member includes a hollow body constructed by welding two thin metallic plates and gas enclosed in the hollow body. An upper and a lower adiabatic materials sandwich the pressure-adjusting members.    A device presses the upper and lower adiabatic materials, the adiabatic materials, the pressure-adjusting members, the holders and the fuel cell stack. The pressing force of the device is given to the holders and the fuel cell stack through the pressure-adjusting members in the form of an uniform pressure.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents reduction of pressure on central part of stack. @(7pp)@
(US4988283-A)      An electric power supplied to an electric load is determined and the current (iFC) outputted from a fuel cell part (7) is controlled in accordance with a load power signal which corresponds to the detected result. A fuel cell output following the variation of the power load can be obtained by controlling the amounts of a starting material to be reformed, a reformed fuel and an air to be supplied based on this output current.    When the power load is at a low level, the foregoing output from the fuel cell is also supplied to a heating portion (10) for heating the fuel cell part so as not to reduce the current (iFC) outputted from the fuel cell part. Since the output current is not reduced, it is possible to prevent an extreme increase in the electrode voltage of the fuel cell part (7) and hence the deterioration of the electrode is reduced.    USE -   Fuel cell power generating appts. @(28pp)@
(US4910630-A)      Collector and emitter of the transistor (16) are connected to the positive terminal (12) and the wind-shield (10) respectively, the base of the transistor being connected, by a line (30), to a driver stage (28) which, in turn is connected to the output terminal (26) of an AND gate (20). One input terminal (22) of the AND gate is connected to a manual on-off switch (18). The latter may be used for energising the windshield. Closing the switch results in a logic 1 signal being applied to the input terminal of the AND gate.    The other input terminal (24) of the AND gate is inverted and is connected to an output terminal of a one-shot multivibrator (68). The latter may be triggered by a signal from the output terminal (66) of an up/down counter (64). The output terminal (26) of the AND gate (20) is also connected, by way of a line (32), to one input terminal (34) of another AND gate (38). The other input terminal (36) of the AND gate (38) is connected to a clock oscillator (70) by way of a line (48).    USE -   Controlling consumption of electrical current exceeding total generating capability of electrical system and monitoring charge of storage battery between max. and min. levels and disconnecting electrical loads in response to the level reaching the min. @(8pp)@
(DE3801776-C2)      A protection circuit for protecting a user connected to a motor vehicle battery and a MOS FET transistor (10) connected to this, used as a switch end state. A voltage comparator (IC) is connected with one input terminal (-) between the user (RL) and the pull electrode of the MOS FET transistor (10) across a high ohmic resistor (R5). The voltage of the constant voltage source (12) is established between its pull and source electrodes (D,S), by the resistances of the user (RL) and of the MOS FET transistor (10) found in the switched on condition.    The time delay element (R3, C1, T1) contains a switching transistor (T1), the collector of which lies between the gate electrode (T) of the MOS FET transistor (10) and its high ohmic input resistor (R4). Its emitter lies at the output terminal of the comparator (IC) and the gate electrode of the switching transistor (T1), for the provision of the delay time has connected to it a further input resistor (R3) parallel to the first resistor (R4) and a capacitor (C1) lying at earth.    ADVANTAGE -   Protection circuit working as far as possible without loss, for interrupting current supplied to MOS FET transistor, when specified current threshold value is exceeded.
(BE1001404-A)      A ferrous fuel material for a fuel cell consists at least partially of iron foil. Pref. the foil is coated with a hygroscopic substance, is perforated and is wound to a coil such that at least some of its holes intercommunicate along spiral paths.    A method of employing the fuel material in an iron redox element of a fuel cell involves (a) withdrawing part of the anodic soln. of the cell; (b) contacting and dissolving the fuel material in this soln. portion; (c) regenerating the soln. portion by reducing at least part of its ferric iron content; and (d) returning the regenerated soln. portion into the fuel cell.    A fuel cell, for use in the method, comprises a cathodic compartment, a cathodic soln. regeneration circuit, an anodic compartment and an anodic soln. regeneration circuit, the novelty being that the anodic soln. regeneration circuit includes a reactor contg. the fuel material .    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The fuel cell is used for feeding an electric vehicle drive motor (claimed) The foil has a large surface/ volume ratio, so that a relatively small regeneration reactor can be used, and can be of poor quality, or scrap without affecting regeneration efficiency. Fe(OH)2 ppte. produced can be recycled for foil mfr.. (First major country equivalent to LU--87444-A)
(JP94011641-B2)      Reformer comprises a reactor tube composed of inner and outer tubes charged with reforming catalyst, so that raw material gas fed into the outer tube from one end turns at the other end to enter into one end of the inner tube.    USE -   For fuel cell power generator systems. (J01157402-A)
(US4857422-A)      The lid made of plastic material includes at least two parallelepiped elements obtained while moulding the lid, having the same height and being arranged parallel to each other along the longer sides of the battery. Each of the elements is connected with the other by at least a transverse piece, which is also obtained while moulding the lid and which functions as a handle.    The parallelepiped elements of the lid form a horizontal surface which allows to stack the batteries. An equal volume for each cell constituting the battery is insured.    ADVANTAGE -   Battery can easily be lifted and transported.
(US4902587-A)      Fuel cell comprises a laminate comprising an electrolyte holding material (I) having pores. for holding an electrolyte; an anode; and a cathode provided to sandwich (I); and a separator provided with grooves for feeding a gas to the anode and cathode. The anode is a ternary anode which comprises nickel, as a main component, and additionally cobalt and chromium oxide.    Pref. the amt. of cobalt is 3-20 atom %, based on nickel. Pref. the ternary anode is prepd. by mixing nickel, chromium oxide and cobalt powders; and heating and sintering the mixt.    ADVANTAGE -   Fuel cell has higher performance and longer life than cells having an anode of sintered nickel alone, or a binary metal comprising nickel and other metal.    (JP93051150-B)      A fuel cell consists of a laminate comprising (1) electrolyte-holding material having pores for holding an electrolyte, (2) anode and a cathode provided to sandwich the electrolyte -holding material(s), and (3) separator provided with grooves for feeding a gas to the anode and cathode . The anode is a ternary material comprising nickel as a main component and additionally cobalt and chromium oxide.    Pref. the ternary anode is prepd. by mixing Ni, 3-20 atom percent Co and 2-20 atom percent Cr2O3 powders. The mixt. is then pref. heated and sintered.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Improved creep resistance, sintering resistance and anode activity combined with maintenance of high performance over a long time. (J01186561-A)
(US4974644-A)      One or more electrode plaques are totally immersed in a vibrating paste of active mass which has an active mass content of about 25 to 60 vol. per cent, a maximum granulometry of the active particles of about 0.04 mm and in the unvibrated state a yield value of about 10 to 120 Pa and a plastic viscosity of about 0.1 to 1 Pas at 20 deg.C.    The paste is preferably set in vibration with a frequency of about 40 to 125 Hz and an amplitude of about 0.1 to 1.5 mm by a vibration transmitter fitted inside the tank containing the paste.    USE -   For vibration filling of foam-structure or fibre-structure electrode plaques for galvanic cells, particularly for electrical accumulators. (8pp)E    (US5160659-A)      The paste contains 25-60 vol.% of an active substance of Ni contg. up to 12 at % Co and a dispersion agent selected from water soluble salts of polyphosphoric acid. The paste has max. particle size of approx. 0.04 mm, and, in the unvibrated state, has a yield value of 10-120 Pa and a plastic viscosity of 0.1-1 Pa.s at 20 deg.C..    The paste pref. also contains Co powder, Co (hydr)oxide, bromate and/or phosphate.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For filling foam structure on fibre structure electrode plates for galvanic cells, in a simple and fast manner, without costly appts..
(US4865925-A)      Electrode appts. is for an electrochemical system contg. excess free electrolyte and having anode and cathode compartments: contg. different solns A membrane sepg. the compartments has regions allowing passage of ions while limiting flow of soln. and gas permeable regions. Cathode and anode in contact with the membrane allow generation of current and prodn. of gas and ions at the membrane for transfer between the compartments.    Pref. the membrane comprises anion or cation exchange material or microporous hydrophilic material at ion-permeable regions and hydrophobic microporous material (e.g. PTFE) at gas permeable regions. The electrodes may be hydrogen electrodes.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For continuous concn. electrochemical cells, e.g. in systems converting nuclear or waste heat to electrical energy. Appts. is less complex and offers lower internal resistance. Improved performance, efficiency and life are obtd. (10pp)h
(US4898793-A)      Fuel cell device comprises: a fuel cell (4) with oxidant and fuel gas electrodes (1,2) sandwiching an electrolyte layer (39; a half-cell (16) with an electrolyte layer (3a), single electrode (18) and gas chamber (19); a connecting electrolyte (17) between the electrolyte layers of the fuel cell and half cell; and a circuit (21) formed by the half-cell electrode and either electrode of the fuel cell which transfer electrolyte between fuel cell and half cell to control the amt. on compsn. of electrolyte in the fuel cell.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. with a molten carbonate fuel cell. Electrolyte replenishment to the fuel cell can be achieved quickly, uniformly and stably over a long period of time (First major country equivalent to J01134868-A)
(DE3875333-G)      An electronically conducting polymer comprises (a) a polymer matrix, doped with (b) anions of a hetero-polyacid of formula Hn(XMyVy'Oz), n is 2-6, X is H, Cu, Be, Zn, B, Al, Ga, Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, Th, Hf, Ce, N, P, As, V, Sb, Bi, Cr, S, Te, Mn, iodine, Fe, Co, Ni, Rh, Pt or a rare earth, M is Mo or W, y is 6-18, y' is 0-12, y+y' is 6-18, z is 24-70.    Pref. (a) the polymer is obtd. from pyrrole, thiophene, aniline, p-phenylene diamine, acetylene, benzene and substd. derivs. Poly(N-methylpyrrole), polyaniline and polypyrrole are pref, (b) X is P or Si. Pref. polyacids are H4(SiW12O40) and H3(PMo12O40). The amt. of polyacid anions is 0.01-0.3 anions w.r.t. 1 monomer unit in the polymer matrix.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   A chemical or electrochemical catalyst formed by the doped polymer is claimed. Applns. include electrolysis of water in acid medium, oxidn. of alcohols in acid medium, oxidn. of cyclohexanol to cyclohexanone and adipic acid, oxidn. of diols to diacids, oxidn. of methacrolein to methacrylic acid, synthesis of methyl formate by electrocatalytic oxidn. of methanol, as anode and cathode in acid medium in fuel cells, oxidn. of CO and redn. of NOx, as catalyst for purifying exhaust gases from internal combustion engines, hydrodesulphurisation of hydrocarbons, oxidn. of benzene to phenol, prepn. of satd. carbonyl cpds.; dehydration of alcohols to olefins and as protonic conductors for membranes in electrolysers or fuel cells etc. The hetero-polyacids and anions are immobilised in a solid conducting phase, thus increasing the catalytic effect.
(US4898796-A)      A connecting terminal assembly comprises a bush made from lead or lead alloy, buried in a cover of the battery in the same process as when the cover is moulded and including a hole into which a pole is fitted. A connecting terminal is made by press working a sheet of metal, except for lead or lead alloy, having good electrical conductivity, having at least one bolt-insertion hole and a space for accommodating a nut, fixed to the upper portion of the bush.    This has a strength resistive to a torque of 40 kg-cm or more caused by a bolt being inserted into the bolt-insertion hole. The connecting terminal is coated with material having good fixability with lead and lead alloy, having good electric conductivity. The connecting terminal is coated with material having anti-corrosivity and good electrical conductivity.    USE -   Compact lead-acid storage battery e.g. for use in motorcycle. (First major country equivalent to J01124954)
(JP94047441-B2)      Appts. to reform fuel for fuel cells comprises a double-structured reforming reaction tube charged with a reforming catalyst. The tube has a high temp. part, an inlet for a raw material gas, a low temp. part, and an outlet for reformed gas.    USE -   For fuel cells.
(US4876163-A)      A fuel gas is passed over one side of a number of series connected fuel cells in the fuel cell generator. An oxygen-containing gas is passed over the other side resulting in the generation of heat and electricity.    The cells are arranged in the configuration of a circle, a spiral or folded rows within a cylindrical generator. Modifications of the flow rate, oxygen concentration, and/or temperature of the oxygen-containing gases flowing to the cells at the periphery relative to those at the centre enable a more uniform temperature throughout the generator.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduced temperature gradient. Generator can easily be operated within optimal temperature range. All cells can be arranged in series for higher voltage output. No problems of hot corner cells. (10pp )
(US7184476-N)      Appts., for coating an outer surface of a porous solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) tube having open and closed ends with an interconnector layer and an electrolyte layer, comprises first means, heating means and second means. The first means are an open ended conduit for directing an oxidant gas into and along the length of the SOFC tube via its open end. The heating means may be in the form of a heat pipe or hair-pin heater disposed within and along the length of the SOFC tube for uniformly heating the SOFC tube to a high temp. along its entire length. The second means sequentially directs an interconnector gas and an electrolyte gas over an outer surface of the SOFC tube whereupon the interconnector and electrolyte gases become oxidized by the oxidant gas in forming solid, impervious interconnector and electrolyte layers on the outer surface of the SOFC tube.    ADVANTAGE -   The fabrication of SOFC tubes is simplified and cheapened, while ensuring the prodn. of high quality uniform multi conductive layered cell components. (21pp)
(US7192556-N)      Jet air tubes are supported and maintained in a spaced matrix array by a positioning/insertion assembly for insertion in respective tubes of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) in the assembly of an SOFC module. The positioning/insertion assembly includes planar, elongated, linear vanes pivotally mounted at each end to a support frame.    A rectangular compression assembly of adjustable size is adapted to receive and squeeze a matrix of SOFC tubes to compress the inter-tube nickel felt conductive pads which provide series/parallel electrical connection between adjacent SOFCs, with a series of increasingly larger retainer frames used to maintain larger matrices of SOFC tubes in position. Expansion of the SOFC module housing at the high operating temperatures of the SOFC is accommodated by conductive, flexible, resilient expansion, connector bars which provide support and electrical coupling at the top and bottom of the SOFC module housing.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Solid oxide fuel power generators improved assembly and coupling fuel cell modules. (57pp)
(JP2661692-B2)      Heat-resistant parts are obtd. by coating surface of heat-resisting alloy base with metallic composite oxide La1-xM1xM2O3 (M1 is alkali earth metal; M2 is Co, Fe, Mn, Ni or Cr, and x is 0 to less than 1).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Heat-proof electrically conductive parts suitably used for collector or connector, can be obtd.
(JP2260371-A)      @(Dwg.No.1    (DE3907819-C)      Ion-exchanger fuel cell arrangement consists of a stack of cells (22), each comprising a gas-permeable conductive plate (44) in contact with a hydrophilic liquid-permeable component (42), on the opposite side of which is a porous distributor plate (34). Distributor plate is in contact with the fuel-electrode (28) and has grooves for the fuel.    Full electrode rests an ion exchanger membrane (32), on the opposite side of which is the 02-electrode (30). A second distributor plate (38) with grooves contacts the electrode, in contact with a gas-permeable plate (44).    ADVANTAGE -   Flooding or drying out of the membrane is prevented. (10pp)
(US7184475-N)      Solid oxide fuel cell module (50) is positioned lengthwise within and along the length of a square shaft (90) defined by apertures within a number of ceramic blocks (92-99) arranged in a stack and each having a central aperture. Modules (50,50a,50b) are positioned in the shaft with anode/fuel tube (106) in a tube sleeve (102) coupled to them by L-shaped fuel coupling/support members (110,112,113) of e.g. alumina. Gaseous fuel is directed into the lower part of each module. Cathode/air tube (104) in a second tube sleeve (100) is coupled to the modules by air coupling/support members (108,115,114).    ADVANTAGE -   Gas flow and electrical conductor arrangement acts as structural support for individual fuel cells.
(US5004424-A)      Appts demonstrating and studying fuel cell operation comprises: a) a first catalysed electrode, permeable to 02 but impermeable to liq; b) second catalysed electrode; c) an electrical connection between electrodes; and d) a housing holding the electrodes.    When the housing is partially immersed in a liq mixt of fuel and electrolyte, the liq mixt can circulate freely around one side of the first electrode and both sides of the second electrode. The other side of the first electrode is in contact with ambient atmos.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as a teaching aid, not just in fuel cell operation but many other scientific principles. (9pp)
(US4882241-A)      Battery comprises (a) at least one 'redox' cell, each cell having first and second chambers sepd. by a membrane; (b) a positive electrode disposed in the first chamber; (c) a negative electrode disposed in the second chamber, (d) a catholyte fluid in the first chamber, electrode (b) being inert to fluid (d); and (e) an anolyte fluid in the second chamber, electrode (c) being inert in fluid (e). Electrode (c) contains a combination of Au, Tl, Pb and Bi, as a catalyst for the acceleration of Cr3+/Cr2+ 'redox' processes.    Pref. the combination of Au, Tl, Pb and Bi is coated on electrode (c).    ADVANTAGE -   The current yield of the redox reaction of the Cr is optimised, hence max. possible energy efficiency is achieved for the overall system.    (DE3869547-G)      In a redox battery with a negative electrode including a catalyst for accelerating in Cr3+/Cr2+ redox process, the novelty is that the catalyst is a combination of Au, Tl, Pb and Bi.    Pref. the catalyst is in the form of a surface coating providing surface concns. of 0.02-1 mg/sq.cm. Au, 0.2-40 mg/sw.cm. Tl, 0.2-10mg/sq.cm. Pb and 0.2-10 mg/sq.cm. Bi.    ADVANTAGE -   The current yield of the Cr3+/Cr2+ redox reaction is optimised and thus the entire system has extremely high energy efficiency.
(EP312767-B1)      Process for the removal of hydrogen and oxygen in the freely movable electrolyte of H2/O2 fuel cell batteries operating in a weightless environment, characterised in that in the electrolyte the ratio of hydrogen to oxygen is determined, in that by the addition of one of the gaseous reactants a mole ratio of H2/O2 of approximately 2:1 is attained, and in that the hydrogen and the oxygen are catalytically converted to water.
(EP312766-B1)      Process for the removal of hydrogen and oxygen in the liquid freely movable electrolyte of H2/O2 fuel cell batteries operated in a weightless environment, characterised in that hydrogen and oxygen are catalytically converted to water and in that the portion of one of the gaseous reactants in the electrolyte, exceeding a mole ratio of H2:O2 such as 2:1, is reacted electro-chemically at a gas dissipation electrode.    (DE3874278-G)      (A) Hydrogen and oxygen are removed from the freely moving electrolytes of H2/O2 fuel cell batteries operating in gravity-free space by catalytic reaction to form H2O, the excess of one of the gaseous reactants in the electrolytes beyond the 2:1 H2:O2 mol ratio, being reacted electrochemically at a gas consuming electrode.    (B) Appts. for carrying out the process includes, in the electrolyte circuit (1) of the battery (2), a gas recombiner (3) with a catalyst (6) for H2/O2 reaction, a gas consuming electrode and a reference electrode (7), a potentiostat (8) and a counter electrode.    ADVANTAGE -   The process removes hydrogen and oxygen from the electrolytes under gravity-free conditions, e.g. when the battery is used in spacecraft.
(JP95030428-B2)      Material comprises the alloy contg. Fe, Cr, and Ni, with K=1400-1800, where K=CFexCCrx0.2CNi2, (CFe, CCr, and CNi are respectively the contents of Fe, Cr, and Ni), pref., K=1450-1700.    USE -   For molten carbonate type fuel cells, showing excellent corrosion resistance in harsh environment in the cells.
(JP93001211-B)      Li and Al salts are dissolved in solvent and mixed with reaction agent (pref. soln. contg. ammonium carbonate). After synthesising two or more Li cpds. these are burnt at temp. of over m.pt. of synthesised Li cpd..    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Li aluminate with large surface area can be produced. Li aluminate is efficient as unequal system catalyst carrier. Also useful for liq. holding material or high alkali holding material e.g. electrolyte of fused carbonate type fuel cell.    In an example, ammonium carbonate 1 hydrate of 190.2 g was dissolved in 500 cc distilled water. In other container, Li nitrate of 52.3 g and Al nitrate 9 hydrate of 284.5 g were dissolved in 300 ml distilled water. To soln. ammonium carbonate soln. was dropped with stirring. After maturing overnight, this was dried at 120 deg.C. and burnt at 800 deg.C. in air for 36 hrs.. Li aluminate of high specific surface area of 50-70 m2/g was obtd.. Also its average grain dia. was small e.g. 100 Angstrom. (J01061314-A)
(JP2685247-B2)      Method for removing ammonia from water in a fuel cell power plant having a closed water circulating system, which ammonia is present in the water in concentrations of less than about 400 ppm by weight, comprises (a) transferring ammonia, carbon dioxide, and other non-condensible gases from a reformed hydrogen rich fuel gas initially contg. such non-condensible gases, to water in the system which is initially low in such gases, by passing the hydrogen rich fuel gas through a spray of the system water thereby creating a supply of contaminated system water contg. ammonia contaminants in amts. of less than about 400 ppm by weight; (b) performing two successive steam stripping operations on the contaminated system water, while maintaining the latter at the same pH, to transfer major amounts of the ammonia from the system water to a steam carrier, (c) combining the ammonia-laden steam from the two steam stripping operations and passing the combined steam through a condenser to condense water out of the ammonia-laden steam; and (d) venting ammonia-laden steam from the condenser and out of the water circulating system, the vented steam having a water content which is less than the amount of product water formed in the fuel cells whereby externally sourced make-up water is not normally required to operate the power plant.    ADVANTAGE -   The ammonia level in the water can be reduced to less than 30ppm by volume by the steam stripping, and this lower level of ammonia can then be removed by demineralisation beds in the system.
(US5069988-A)      Cell has a porous electrode used as an oxygen redn. electrode when the cell operates at current densities up to 750 mA/cm2. The porous electrode comprises a porous conductive substrate of C, graphite or metal, coated with a porous catalytically active layer of, or a non-noble metal (oxide) opt. with C. The non-noble metal is Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, Cr, Cu or V. The catalytic layer contains PTFE as binder.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as fuel, air/metal or alkaline Zr/MnO2-cells, etc. Good performance characteristics are obtd. at low cost. (8pp)
(US4849311-A)      Electrolyte membrane comprises an ionic conductor, e.g. a complex of polyethyleneglycol or poly(ethylene oxide) and an alkali metal or alkaline earth salt or a protonic acid, immobilised in the pores of a solid polymer membrane, pref. a polyolefine (mean Mw not less than 5.10 power 5). The polymer membrane has a thickness 0.1-50 micro-m; porosity 40-90%; mean pore diam. 0.001-0.1 micro-m; and tensile strength not less than 200 kg/cm2.    USE -   The prods. are components for a wide range of fuel cells, batteries, electrolytic cells, electrochromic devices and sensors.    (JP2644002-B2)      Electrolyte membranes comprise an ionic conductor (I), a liq. ionic capillary-condensed conductor (II) or an ion-exchange resin (III) immobilised in the pores of a porous solid polymer membrane which has a thickness of 0.1-50 (pref. 0.1-25)microns, a porosity of 40-90 (pref. 60-90)%, a tensile strength of not less than 200 (500 pref.) Kg/cm2 and an ave. dia. of permeable pores of 0.001-0.1 (pref. 0.005-0.05) microns. A method of prepn. of an electrolyte membrane is claimed (see below).    USES -   The membrane is used in fuel cells, batteries, electrochromic devices, sensors, high efficiency capacitors, brine electrolysis, water hdyrolysis, donnan dialysis and memory devices. Low electric resistance and high mechanical strength membranes are required.
(US5015444-A)      Plate-type reformer comprises a series of main units each including a combustor and a reforming reactor filled with respective catalysts with a heat conductive partition between the combustor and the reactor; and a auxiliary unit including a fuel plate which has a vacant fuel chamber, and two porous plates sandwiching the fuel plate.    Auxiliary unit is sandwiched between the combustors of the main units.    ADVANTAGE -   Effective heat exchange. @(7pp)
(US4917612-A)      A mounting member is either connectable to or integral with a terminal post of a battery. It includes a mounting magnetic section and an electrical conductor between the battery terminal and the contact member.    The contact member is connectable to an electric lead and includes a contact magnetic section coupled with the mounting magnetic section to connect the contact member to the mounting member. Electricity is conducted from the battery terminal to the electric lead via the electrical conductive section and the magnetic sections are outside the major electrical conductive route so that the magnetic sections at least partially insulate the electrical conductive sections.    USE -   Connector for electrically connecting an electrical lead to a terminal of a battery. @(7pp)@
(DE3729611-C2)      Electrical storage battery i.e. starter battery for vehicles, includes a bottom fixture edge-strip (2) and an adapter strip (6) which snaps into place on to the moulded bottom edge-strip (2), via connectors.    The bottom edge-strip (2) is provided with recessed slots (3) having bed surfaces (4) running parallel to the battery's clamping surface and on which the adapter strip (6) is supported. At least two discontinuities (5) are provided in the bottom fixture strip (2) and accommodate the fixture tongues (7) of the inserted adapter strip (6).    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents movement and deformation of mounting, i.e. adapter strip on the bottom fixture strip.
(DE3872377-G)      Rectangular, solid oxide cell, in which a fuel gas is passed over one side of the cell, an O2 gas is passed into the cell and an exhaust gas is formed, includes channels for passing at least a portion of the exhaust gas over the outside of the periphery of the cell, the channels being located so that more of the heat in the exhaust gas flows at the corners of the cell than over the remainder of the sides.    Specifically the cell includes a multiplicity of electrically connected electrochemical cells and fuel gas is reformed beneath the cells in a catalytic reformer, heat in the exhaust gas being used in the fuel gas reformer. The channels for removing the exhaust gas are cut into the insulation around the cells.    Method of operating the cell, using the channels for passing most of the exhaust gas out over the corners of the cell, is claimed.    ADVANTAGE -   Arrangement minimises temp. gradients in the cell, improving temp. and operational control.    (JP2876126-B2)      Rectangular, solid oxide cell, in which a fuel gas is passed over one side of the cell, an O2 gas is passed into the cell and an exhaust gas is formed, includes channels for passing at least a portion of the exhaust gas over the outside of the periphery of the cell, the channels being located so that more of the heat in the exhaust gas flows at the corners of the cell than over the remainder of the sides.    Specifically the cell includes a multiplicity of electrically connected electrochemical cells and fuel gas is reformed beneath the cells in a catalytic reformer, heat in the exhaust gas being used in the fuel gas reformer. The channels for removing the exhaust gas are cut into the insulation around the cells.    Method of operating the cell, using the channels for passing most of the exhaust gas out over the corners of the cell, is claimed.    ADVANTAGE -   Arrangement minimises temp. gradients in the cell, improving temp. and operational control.
(EP306746-B)      On the top of the battery casing (2) a cover (3) pref. of polypropylene is built up with two hinged portions (11) extending across the terminals (4) from a centre portion (8) which conceals the stoppers (6) in the openings (5) to individual cells. The section (8) carrying the hinges 813) features downward projections which are press-fitted into slots in the cover. When access to the terminals (4) is required, the hinged portions (11) can be turned upward without disturbance of the main part of the cover, which continues to protect the cell stoppers (6).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. in motor vehicle. Cover protects terminals of battery while allowing access for cleaning and guarantees isolation from unintentional contact, need be removed only for topping-up and general maintenance.
(JP95068377-B2)      Electrolyte membrane prepn. comprises filling ion-exchange resin into the pores of porous membrane comprising polyolefin with wt. average mol. wt. of at least 5-10power5.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used widely for fields, which need low electric resistance and good mechanical strength, e.g. fuel cell, water-or edible salt-electrolysis, prim. or sec. -battery, sepn. membrane for accelerated transportation, electrochromic device and sensor, because membrane is flexible, does not cause leakage and has good dynamic strength and dimensional stability, so it reduces ohm-loss of electrolyte layer and halts increase of contact resistance with electrode accompanied by expansion and shrinkage.
(DE3827954-C)      The material, pref. polycrystalline, sintered, is made by reversible reduction, pref. in H2 at 600-1000 deg.C, of a monoclinic cpd. with the general compsn.: NaxAlyTi(3+)x-yTi(4+) 8-x016 in which x is 1.5-2.0, y is between 1.5 and 2.0 and x is smaller than y. The cpd. has after reduction ab0 - crystal parameter which is more than 0.001 nm larger than before, pref. 0.001-0.005 nm larger. The crystal axes of the reduced cpd. are pref.: a0 = 1.209 - 1.221 nm, b0 = 0.377 - 0.381 nm and c0 = 0.640 - 0.645, while beta0 = 106.6 - 108.6 degrees.    The reduced cpd. can be changed back into the original cpd. by oxidation in air at 1200-1300 deg.C. the porosity is pref. less than 5%. A mfg. process is also claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The material can be made impermeable to gas or porous depending on the application. It is inexpensive to mfr. and has good mechanical strength, allowing thin layers to be used. The resistivity is acceptable for use in fuel cells or sensors.    (US4927793-A)      Material for use in fuel cells, prodn of H by steam electrolysis, as sensor material etc is a proton-conductive material comprising a cpd of a monoclinic crystal structure which is in a reversibly reduced state from a cpd of a similar monoclinic structure, represented by NaxAlyTi3+x-y Ti4+8-x016, where x is 1.5-2, y is 1.5-2, y is less than or equal to x. The material is mfd from a mixture of alumina, titania, and Na salt, which is sintered at 1000-1300 deg C and then subjected to reducing treatment at 600-1000 deg C.    ADVANTAGE -   Stable, high electro-conductivity is obtd even at low temps. @(15pp)@
(JP96011198-B2)      A catalyst support loaded with different kinds of metal parts of which are not fully alloyed is treated with plasma, so that the metals are fully converted to the corresp. alloys.    Pref. carbon is used as the catalyst support, and is prepd. by impregnating aq. solns. contg. salts of different kinds of metals. The raw catalyst support is treated with plasma so that it is passed through, with inert gas, a quartz tube which is wound into a coil. The different kinds, of metals are a combination of precious and non-precious metals, esp. Pt and Cr or Fe.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst is used for fuel cell electrodes. Raw metals can be alloyed in a short time by heating rapidly to high temp. with plasma. They can be cooled rapidly so that the metals are alloyed while maintaining their particle size small. The resultant catalyst is highly active, having a larger specific surface area.
(JP96008999-B2)      Support loaded with Pt powder is contacted with a soln. contg. Co cpds. and Cr. cpds. to adhere them to the support which is treated at a high temp., so that Pt-Cr-Co alloy is formed.    Pref. carbon black is used as the support. Chromium nitrate and cobalt nitrate are used. The support is treated at 800-1000 deg.C for 0.5-2 hrs. in an inert gas.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst is used for fuel cells. Cr and Co can be uniformly simultaneously deposited. The ratio of Cr/Co can be freely changed.    In an example, 10g of carbon black loaded with Pt were dispersed in 400 ml of water; a soln. contg. 7g of chromium nitrate and 4g of cobalt nitrate in 100 ml of dil. HCl was added to the carbon black dispersion. Dil. NH4OH was added to adjust the pH of the dispersion to 7.5. The carbon black powders were filtered off, dried at 90 deg.C, and heated at 900 deg.C for 2 hrs. in N2 gas.
(JP93066882-B)      Methanol reformer comprises a cylindrical furnace, a burner placed at upper part of the furnace, a cylindrical wall placed around the burner, a vapouriser placed in the wall, a reactor placed at the outside of the wall and connected to the vapouriser and an outlet. The reformer also comprises an air chamber between the burner and the reactor and air is supplied from the outside of the furnace to the air chamber controlling its amt. based on a catalyst temp. in the reactor.    USE -   Compsn. and amt. of flow of reformed gas do not change when the load of the fuel cell changes, since catalyst in the reactor is not super-heated. (J63315501-A)
(DE3869009-G)      Fuel cell comprising an anode contg. a catalyst, an ion exchange membrane electrolyte, a cathode and wet proofing means is cooled by:- (1) forming a liq. water mist from supplied liq. water using an aspirator, (2) controlling the amt. of liq. water mist introduced to prevent flooding of the anode, (3) adding a desiccent material to the anode to prevent local area flooding and to transport the liq. water mist through the anode to the ion exchange membrane,evaporating water formed in the cathode and passed through the wet proofing means so as to cool the fuel cell.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For applications requiring large, very efficient power-to-weight ratio such as in spacecraft, submarine or ground vehicles. A high pacting density is achieved by eliminating the need for a separate cooling compartment while current and power density capabilities are also increased (all claimed).
(JP95112922-B2)      The device includes a reformer reactor for hydrocarbon material.It is provided with a container for storing part of the hydrocarbon material which is desulphurised.    USE -   The device can be restarted, after stoppage, without requiring an external hydrogen source.
(US4830937-A)      Container for an electrical accumulator is an open-topped tank-like receptacle and a lid both formed of closed-cell cellular plastics panels and a covering for reflecting infrared radiation. A space is provided between the covering and the panels.    ADVANTAGE -   Adequate thermal insulation.
(JP2543701-B2)      Reactor comprises a methanol reforming catalyst layer for heat insulated reaction and a methanol reforming catalyst layer for isoethermal reaction. Both layers are positioned from the upstream in a cylindrical container.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Temp. gradient is nto steep. Responsiveness to load is good The reactor is compact. It is used to produce H2.
(US4839246-A)      A first adjustment is performed of the supply of the power to a load by the battery in response to the sudden variation in load until the fuel cell responds to the sudden variation in load. The DC power delivered from the battery is converted into AC power for supply to the load. The response of the fuel cell w.r.t. sudden variation in load is delayed in time by an integrator.    The power supplied form the fuel cell is controlled while performing a second adjustment of the supply of the power to the load by the fuel cell after the fuel cell responds to the sudden variation in load. (First major country equivalent to J63289773)
(EP297316-B)      Current flow and distribution in a porous anode of a bipolar plate of a cell pile is improved by providing metal platelets (9) embedded in the porous anode layer (8) which can be welded to the contact sheet (11) after passing through holes (14) in the corrugated sheet.    ADVANTAGE -   A satisfactory current contact is established by reduction sintering the platelets (9) to the anode layer (8) to produce a crystalline metallic joint between the two which prevents a high resistance barrier layer forming.
(EP297229-B1)      Battery with a plastic housing (1) having a battery cover (2), on which housing two flexible carrying handles (3) are disposed, which carrying handles, when not being used, are integrated into the battery cover (2) and extend essentially below the cover surface (13) of the battery cover (2) and parallel thereto, characterised in that the battery cover (2) consists of an upper cover (4) as well as of a lower cover (5) which are welded together and between which the carrying handles (3) are each fixed.
(US5004298-A)      A cavity washed out in rock salt and initially filled with brine is abandoned rapidly by injecting a mixt. having higher density than brine into the cavity, and maintaining communication between the outside and the cavity while the mixt. sets and forthe rock salt for creep into and close shrinkable voids that developer in the set mixture.    ADVANTAGE -   Monitoring is not required for long periods. @(10pp)@
(JP92028036-B)      A fuel gas is generated by contacting an aq. acetone soln. with powdered silicon and exposing the resultant prod. to light. The light source is the sun, or a mercury, xenon, halogen or incandescent lamp. The acetone is 5-95 wt.% of the soln. and the silicon is 0.01-1 g/100 ml aq. soln.    The silicon is pref. a prod. that has been thermally reduced either under vacuum or in a current of hydrogen; particle dia. is 0.1-500 micron. The activity of the silicon may be enhanced by deposition on its surface of an electroconductive film of a metal, e.g. Pt, Ru, Rh or Ti, or a polymer, e.g., polyacetylene, polypyrrole or polythiophene.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   A method of utilising light energy, esp. solar energy, is provided. A fuel gas of high calorific value, comprising mainly methane and hydrogen, is obtd. The light, including long wavelength light, is used efficiently, and the heat of the solar energy is also utilised. (J02175790-A)
(DE3815187-C2)      This is an installation for the thermal treatment of waste, and has (a) a pyrolysis reactor which converts the waste into low-temp. carbonisation gas and pyrolysis residue, (b) a combustion chamber to which this gas and residue are fed after suitable preparation, (c) a heat exchanger integrated into the wall of the combustion chamber, and (d) a heating circuit, for a gas (e.g. air) for the pyrolysis reactor, leading from the reactor and back to it via the heat exchanger. An additional heat-exchanger, included in the heating circuit, takes excess heat energy from the circuit. Several variants are claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Overheating of the heat exchanger wall due to dry waste is avoided; caking of molten slag due to wet waste is prevented. The necessary carbonisation energy is provided independently of the composition of the waste in the reactor.
(US4971151-A)      Oil is recovered from a reservoir having population of endogenous microorganisms.    Process comprises (a) adding to reservoir nutrients 1 or more other non-glucose-contg. nutrient in growth-effective amt. for the microorganism; (b) maintaining reservoir for a time under conditions to deplete at least 1 added nutrient, such that microorganisms have reduced cell vol. and increased surface active properties upon treatment; then (c) recovering oil.    ADVANTAGE -   Interfacial tension of the reservoir oil is reduced under pressure using the microorganisms. @(11pp)    (US5083610-A)      Oil is recovered from a reservoir contg. a population of endogenous microorganisms, by adding 1 or more non-glucose C-source and 1 or more other non-glucose nutrient to the reservoir nutrients.    Nutrient is growth effective for microorganisms. Reservoir is maintained for a time under conditions to deplete 1 or more of the added nutrients. Added nutrients and their depletion result in microorganisms of reduced cell vol.. Treated reservoir is then treated to recover oil.    ADVANTAGE -   Interfacial tension of oil in the reservoir is reduced under pressure, yielding enhanced oil recovery. @(13pp)    (RU2067662-C1)      Endogenic microorganisms nutrients in oil or water are introduced into an oil reservoir contg. the microorganisms. The reservoir is held in suitable condition and for a time until one of the nutrients is consumed, then the oil is recovered. As endogenic microorganisms can be used, local microorganisms and also exogenic microorganisms can be additionally introduced into the reservoir. Nutrient used is glucose-free hydrocarbon source e.g. peptone or protein and/or their products, extractants or sources. The operation is carried out in anaerobic conditions.    USE -   Used in recovery of unexploited oil from reservoirs.    ADVANTAGE -   Increased oil recovery.
(DE68902916-E)      Prodn. of demercurised synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas from mercury-contg. fossil fuels comprises (a) reacting a fossil fuel feed contg. 0.01-1000 ppm of mercury by partial oxidn. with a free-oxygen contg. gas with or without a temp. moderator in a reaction zone provided with a reducing atmos. at 1800 deg to 3000 Deg and a pressure of 10 atmos. or higher to produce a raw effluent gas stream of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, water vapour, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, carbon oxysulphide, entrained slag and/or ash, and optionally methane, ammonia, nitrogen and argon; and wherein all of the mercury in the feed is converted into elemental mercury vapour which leaves the reactor zone entrained in the raw effluent gas stream; (b) cooling, cleaning, and demoisturising the raw effluent gas stream from (a); wehrein the cooling, cleaning and demoisturising includes (i) passing the raw effluent gas stream through a radiant cooler sepg. out slag and/or ash and cooling to 500 deg.C - 800 deg by non-contact heat exchange with water; (ii) further cooling the gas stream in a convection cooler and scrubbing with water to remove entrained particles; (iii) demoisturising the cooled and cleaned gas stream; and (c) introducing this gas stream into a solvent gas scrubbing zone at -50 deg.C to 80 deg.C and 10 atmos. or higher pressure the gas is contacted with a solvent condensing 20-100 wt.% of the mercury vapour and removing 90-100 wt.% of the sulphur-contg. gases.    ADVANTAGE -   In this process, the amount of mercury in synthesis gas, reducing gas, and fuel gas may be reduced to a safe level to avoid contaminating the atmosphere and catalysts, and to prevent possible health problems.
(DE3912474-C)      After material not of natural origin has been removed from house-hold refuse, e.g. with tins magnetically sepd. and after visual examination, the material of organic origin is applied to one end of an elongated tunnel, without prior reduction, to form the start of an elongated pile, which while moving through the tunnel is converted into compost by aerobically acting micro-organisms. The material is progressively turned over in the direction of the tunnel outlet, with water content maintained at 30-60 (40-50)%.    After leaving the tunnel, fully formed compost may be sieved into separate fractions in dependence on proposed use. Incoming material may be piled to fill the tunnel cross-section before being advanced and fresh material added for the transit which may take several weeks.    ADVANTAGE -   Large amts. of material are effectively and cheaply composted.
(US5194069-A)      Organic material is carbonised by feeding in finely divided form continuously to the reactor of a closed system under a pressure of 0.05 atmos., rotating the reactor and heating to 800-900 deg. C to produce C powder and reaction fluids while simultaneously sepg. the gaseous phase, and indirectly cooling the powder in a cooler forming part of the system. Cooling may also pref. include injecting CO2 or H2O into the powder to produce active C. Powder may be mixed with sawdust, spices, water and opt. fat and may be particulated into suitable size for use as charcoal for grilling or smoking foodstuffs.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   E.g. for processing forestry or slaughterhouse waste, provides efficient processing to give a useful prod., which may be pure C powder for steel or pharmaceutical industries.
(DE3812766-C)      A pile of crude organic waste, esp. of mixed origin including household residues, from which unpleasant smells can issue, when temporarily stored in a silo is covered with a layer of finally formed compost, a few cm thick (e.g. up to 5 cm) which prevents escape of unwanted smells. The compost cover may be delivered from a scatter roller incorporated in the shovel of a wheeled loader.    USE -   Esp. for municipal collection points, where incoming waste may be too extensive for immediate treatment and some storage is needed.
(EP384290-B1)      A process for the utilization of feather waste from the mechanical cleaning of feather beds, characterized in that said waste is admixed with at least 50% by volume of putrescible carbonaceous materials, more particularly bark mulch, sawdust, chaffed straw or mixtures thereof, is composted and is further processed to make drillable soil-improving agents.
(JP93043673-B)      Appts. to ferment organic matter at high rate comprises an inclined rotary drum coupled with a drive gear to rotate the drum in either direction and organic matter feed hopper disposed above the drum having stirring spirals on the inner wall.    USE -   Used for making fertilisers/feeds. (J01226786-A)
(US5196042-A)      Carrier-supported mycelial fertilisers are obtd. by cultivation of a thermoactinomyces fungus (I) at 55-80 deg.C at pH 7.9-9.5 on a mixt. contg. 70-80 pts.wt. of at least one porous carrier (II) (charcoal, active C, coal, coke and active coke), with 30-20 pts.wt. of an organic material (III) having a water content of 25-60 wt.% and less than 15 wt.% C and which is capable of being fermented by (I).Coconut-husk charcoal can be used as (II) and fowl-droppings as (III).    ADVANTAGE -   There are plant growth hormones and vitamins in metabolites of (I) and (I) decomposes to give N    (EP337483-B1)      A mycelial fertiliser which is characterised by a myelium comprising thermoactinomyces, the said mycelium being carried on a porous carrier, the latter having a particle size of 3.3 to 0.59 mm (6 to 30 mesh)being present in an amount of 70-80 parts by weight and having a pH of 7.5 to 9.5.    (JP93059079-B)      A mycelial manure comprises mycelia of thermophilic ray fungi as carried on a porous carrier having pH of 7.5-9.5.    Pref. thermophilic ray fungi are Thermoactinomyces vulgaris, Thermoactinomyces spora actinobifida (white). The porous carrier may be charcoal, active charcoal, coal, coke, active coke, peat, vermiculite, pearlite, bentonite, foamed urethane. For preparing the mycelial manure, an organic substance (C percentage 15% or less, water content 25-60%) (20-30 pts.wt.) is kneaded together with a porous carrier (pH 7.5-9.5; 6-30 mesh grain size) (70-80 pts.wt.), and the resulting blend is fermented in a fermenter having an inner temp. 15 deg.C or higher while the fermentation temp. is kept at 55-80 deg.C by aeration for at least 5 days.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   When the mycelial manure is applied to a soil, the metabolite from the ray fungi and the decomposed prod. may be imparted to the soil and they act as an active ingredient for accelerating the growth of plants. (J01264987-A)
(EP337189-B1)      Process for the quantification of methane gas bacteria, especially for the monitoring of the methane gas formation capacity of reactors with methanogenic bacteria, characterised in that one subjects a representative sample of a medium containing the methane gas bacteria for at most one second to a brief irradiation by light of the wavelength 395 to 440 nm and determines the fluorescence hereby excited by means of flow cytometry.    (RU2028383-C1)      Quantification of methanogenic bacteria is effected by irradiating a sample of a medium contg. the bacteria with light of wavelength 395-440 nm for up to 1 sec, and measuring the resulting fluorescence by continuous-flow cytometry.    USE -   The process is esp. used for monitoring the methane prodn. capacity of anaerobic digesters (biogas reactors), allowing automatic control of such digesters. It may also be used to measure methanogenic bacteria levels in the human or animal digestive tract and for monitoring natural anaerobic fermentation processes in ecosystems.
(US5079166-A)      Microbial degradation of trichloroethylene in waste water comprises treatment with Pseudomonas mendocina KR-1 cells which have been previously exposed to an inducer of toluene monooxygenase genes, or with host cells (e.g. Escherichia coli) that have been transformed with a recombinant plasmid to produce the heterologous tolueneoxygenase and also exposed to the corresp. inducer. The inducer is isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside or a temp. shift up to 42 deg.C.    USE -   Applicable to effluents, ground water, soils and landfill. @(19pp)
(US5207911-A)      Soid urban waste is broken down and recycled, by (a) mixing crushed waste with an aq. suspension of conditioned biological sludge; and (b) anaerobically fermenting the suspension obtd. to form biogas.    Conditional sludge results from aerobic purification of sewage heated to 40-100 deg C for 10-180 deg. C, then inoculated with a bacterial strain that can effect anaerobic breakdown, in a cell under fluidised-bed conditions until biogas prodn. has stopped.    ADVANTAGE -   Inert material is obtd. for infill material for land reclamation.    (RU2026829-C1)      Solid urban waste is broken-down and recycled using anaerobic fermentation. The waste is first crushed to dimensions suitable for transport on a fluidised bed. A biological sludge from an aerobic purificn. plant is conditioned at 40-100 deg. C for 10-180 mins. A suspension of the condition sludge is then mixed with the crushed waste, the mixt. being inoculated with bacterial strains which can effect anaerobic break-down.    The suspension thus obtd. is supplied to a fluidised bed anaerobic fermentation cell where it is held under fermentation conditions until the emission of biogas has effectively ceased.    USE -   The method treats urban waste to produce a material which can be used as an infill for land reclamation or which may be sorted to allow the recovery of raw materials which can be recycled or used as an energy source.
(US4861497-A)      Process for the rapid oxidn. of organic materials comprises mixing with an aq. HO, compressing to pressure above 3200psi, heating to above 710F under supercritical conditions, cooling with a counter current flow of an feed, and collecting the oxidn. prods.    USE -   The process is applicable to the oxidn. of toxic organic components (avioding environmental pollution) and opt. conversion to fuel gases. (5pp)
(DE3806820-C)      Unripened compost, esp. unripened refuse or bark compost, is utilised by use as a carrier for nutrients, trace elements and microorganisms for the breakdown of impurities, by mixing with contaminated material, e.g. soil contaminated with harmful organic substances.    Specifically the biological breakdown of the contaminants may be in different stages, e.g. in anaerobic and/or aerobic stages, and may involve use of surface-active substances. Supply of O2 to the microorganisms may be by feeding atmos. O2 and/or O2 donors. Microbial activity may be maintained by addn. of water. The types of impurity in the contamination, and the biological degradability can be assessed by taking samples and mixing with unripened compost in a closed system. With a contaminated soil, the unripened compost can be applied to the soil surface, opt. as a slurry, followed by watering. Before appln. of the compost, the soil may be loosened to some depth. Atmos. O2 for maintenance of the microorganisms can be supplied through drainage or mole pipes.    ADVANTAGE -   Wastage of the compost by burning or dumping is avoided.
(DE68901854-E)      Recovery of ethane from natural gas is effected by (a) withdrawing overhead vapour from a demethaniser, (b) splitting the vapour into two streams, (c) compressing the 1st stream to a pressure above that in the demethaniser, (d) cooling the 1st stream by heat exchange with the 2nd stream, thereby condensing at least part of the 1st stream, (e) equalising the pressure of the 1st stream to that in the demethaniser and (f) recycling the 1st stream to the demethaniser as reflux.    ADVANTAGE -   Use of a liq. reflux stream (rather than vapour) increases the operational efficiency of the demethaniser and enhances ethane recovery. The size of the reflux equipment can be reduced compared with known processes (cf. US 4318723, 4350511 and 4687499) or the amt. of liq. reflux can be increased.
(GB2214926-B)      Prodn. of dry propane for use in low-temp. dewaxing operations is effected by fractionating wet propane from the deasphalted oil recovery unit of a propane deasphalter. The wet propane has a water content of up to 2000 ppm (molar), a pressure above that in the fractionator, and a temp. of 100-140 deg.F. The entire heat required to operate the fractionator is supplied by part of the hot wet propane from the deasphalter. The dry propane is recovered as a prodn. stream directly from the fractionator.    More specifically, the wet propane may be in vapour or liquefied form. The fractionator is operated isothermally under conditions controlled by manipulating the overhead/feed, bottoms/feed or overhead/bottoms ratio.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The dry propane is useful for washing wax filter cakes in propane dewaxing operations. Propane drying is achieved without additional energy consumption.    (JP2512316-B2)      Prodn. of dry propane for use in low-temp. dewaxing operations is effected by fractionating wet propane from the deasphalted oil recovery unit of a propane deasphalter. The wet propane has a water content of up to 2000 ppm (molar), a pressure above that in the fractionator, and a temp. of 100-140 deg.F. The entire heat required to operate the fractionator is supplied by part of the hot wet propane from the deasphalter. The dry propane is recovered as a prodn. stream directly from the fractionator.    More specifically, the wet propane may be in vapour or liquefied form. The fractionator is operated isothermally under conditions controlled by manipulating the overhead/feed, bottoms/feed or overhead/bottoms ratio.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The dry propane is useful for washing wax filter cakes in propane dewaxing operations. Propane drying is achieved without additional energy consumption.
(GB2214910-B)      Appts. for prepg. composts includes, a separator for sepg. the wet solids from a liq., a compressor or blower for forcing circulating drying air at a high pressure through the wet resistant solids. A low pressure side stream of this air is firstly cooled by passing it through a cross flow air-to-air recuperator, then dried by passing it through a heat pump. The existing airstream is then rewarmed firstly in the recuperator then the chamber before being returned to the container containing the wet solids.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Appts. and method for providing composted material from human and animal wastes. The compost has a low water content and is active at an economical cost, environmental pollution is also low.
(JP95088317-B2)      Prepn. of methane contg. fuel gas comprises arranging more than 2 catalyst beds with different concn. of NiO in axial direction of reactor tube, and contacting methanol with catalyst beds while maintaining temp. of beds at less than 500 deg.C. Catalyst comprises oxide(s) from alkali(earth) metal and rare earth elements (1-20wt.%), NiO (5-70wt.%) and inert component (10-90wt.%).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Method controls temp. of catalyst beds to less than 500 deg.C, and produces fuel gas with stable life of catalyst.    In an example, a catalyst A is cylinders (3mm x 3mm) comprising NiO-La2O3 (wt. ratio 80:20) and silica and contg. 30wt.% of NiO. A catalyst B is cylinders comprising NiO-La2O3 and silica and contg. 50wt.% of NiO. To SUS reactor (ID 25.4mm, height 3000mm) were charged inert balls (20cm), A (2m) and B (80cm) from inlet of reactor, and catalysts were reduced with 3% H2 in N2 at 550 deg.C for 10 hrs. Methanol (1 mol ratio) and water (0.5 mol ratio) were reacted at 280 deg.C at 25 Kg/cm2 at LHSV 1 hr(-1) w.r.t. methanol. Conversion of methanol was 100%, and compsn. of obtd. gas CH4 (73.6 mol.%), CO2 (25 mol.%), and H2 (1.4 mol.%).
(US4926763-A)      Charcoal mfg. appts. comprises at least two bottomless furnaces, for one to be in carbonization phase while the other is being charged with wet wood to be dried, and an incinerator for burning gas produced in the carbonization phase. A hot gas diluter is connected to the incinerator and to an extractor, which is connected to an optional washer. There is a take-off for hot carbonizationw phase gas upstream of the extractor and connected to at least one other furnace, with a second hot gas diluter in the take-off to make the hot gas temp. compatible with the wood to be dried. The two furnaces are pref. located on a refractory concrete slab.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces the number of furnaces required and utilises the thermal energy produced simply without the need for heavy furnace handling equipment. @(8pp)@
(US4980029-A)      An appts. for converting waste material at temp. of 200 to 600 deg.C into a solid phase and a gaseous phase of liquefiable nature, comprises a device for sealing discrete waste charges from the atmos. including a number of vessels having sealable inlets and outlets and a heater for these. Pressure is kept above atmos. within the vessels as they are heated and is reduced below atmos. and the gas phase produced is accumulated. The accumulator has an outlet for gases and an outlet for inert gaw; the fuel gas fuel being transferred to the heater and the inert gas is used to expel gas from other vessels, particularly to expel oxygen which enters their opening.    USE -   For recovering materials from sewage sludge and agricultural materials. @(18pp)
(JP94025078-B2)      Prepn. of branched hydrocarbon(s) (I) comprises reaction of isobutane (II) with olefin(s) (III) in presence of adamantyl sulphate(s) (IV) and strong acid(s) (V).    (IV) esp. (IVa) is used as one catalyst component. R1 and R2 are independently 1-10C alkyl and n is 1 to 12. (V) are, e.g., HF, H2SO4, HSO3F, CF3SO3H etc. Molar ratio of (II)/(III) is 3-15, pref. 7-10. Amt. of (V) w.r.t. reaction mixt. is 40-60 vol.% (pref. 45-55 vol.%), and amt. of (IV)/(V) is 10 power-5 - 10 power-1 (pref. 10 power -4 - 10 power -2)mol/l. Surfactant(s) (e.g. alkylsulphonic acid, alkylamine etc.) may be added to the reaction mixt. Reaction is carried out at 5-20 (pref. 7-13) deg.C under sufficient pressure to maintain the reaction system liq.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   (I) is used to improve octane value of gasoline. (I) of octane value above 95 is prepd. from (II) and (III) by using cheap catalyst in high yield (above 80%). (J01180836-A)
(JP95051468-B2)      For the prepn., a fermentation waste or a sludge formed by a biological treatment of a waste is blended with wollastonite and concd. H2SO4, granulated and effective microorganisms which have been incubated separately are added to the medium and the medium is further fermented to obtain an organic fertiliser and feed.    The fermentation waste is alcohol distillation waste, or waste in fermentation of amino acids and other nucleic acid-related substances. The sludge formed by biological treatment of a waste may be a sludge to be formed in activated sludge method or methane fermentation method. The effective microorganisms are mould or yeast.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   A fermentation waste having a high water content can be fermented in a short period of time to form organic fertiliser and feed.
(DE3901404-C2)      Anaerobic microbial fermentation of (opt. organic nitrogen) cpds. in ammoniacal or ammonium-contg. aq. dispersions comprises decomposition of the cpds. at 0-65 deg. C to carboxylic acids then formation of methane and CO2 in a self-alkalising reaction which causes the pH of the medium to increase to more than 7, followed by stripping of the NH3, with inert gas or water vapour or by reducing the pressure.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to treat agricultural waste prods. and waste from the food industry e.g. slaughterhouses. Biogas is produced undiluted, and high-value fertiliser is also obtd..
(JP2696865-B2)      Bacteria belonging to Mycobacterium genus, which are capable of decomposing dimethylformamide, and/or the substance obtd. by treating the bacteria, are contacted with a soln. contg. dimethylformamide to remove dimethylformamide in the soln.    Mycobacterium methanolica is pref. used. The bacteria are aerobically incubated in the soln. at 5-43 deg.C, e.g. at 10-40 deg.C at pH 5-9, e.g. 6-8 in the dissolved oxygen concn. of 0.5-20 ppm. Concn. of dissolved oxygen is kept constant by controlling flow rate of gas introduced, stirring, using O2 gas or a mixed gas of O2 and air or increasing the pressure in an incubating tank. The soln. contg. dimethylformamide in the concn. of under 3 wt.%, e.g. under 2 wt.% is pref. treated. The soln. is treated by incubating the bacteria in the soln. as the bacteria medium, adding the bacteria to the soln., contacting the soln. with the activated sludge contg. the bacteria, incubating soln. and ground bacteria or flowing the soln. through a column in which substances fixing the bacteria are packed.    ADVANTAGE -   Dimethylformamide, which are stable and hard to decompose, are effectively decomposed.
(EP325337-B1)      Process for reducing the hysteresis effects in a gas lift loop reactor with suspended solid particles, comprising using a draft tube having openings for establishing an additional circulation stream during the starting up phase in order to stimulate the suspension of solid particles settled at the bottom of the reactor, before the startup of the process and at least 50 g/l reactor volume suspended solid particles being present in the reactor.    (US5256380-A)      Hysteresis effects on a gas lift loop reactor are reduced using a reaction vessel filled with 50g or more of suspended solid particles per l. vessel vol. Solid particles comprise immobilised microorganisms which are settled at the bottom of the vessel before start up of the gas lift loop process. Vessel includes a draft tube having 1 or more start up opening for establishing an additional circulation stream during the start up phase, to stimulate the suspension of solids.    ADVANTAGE -   Gas is introduced at the bottom of the vessel to create a suspension of solid particles at the bottom of the gas lift loop through the draft tube to reduce the energy needed to obtain suspension.
(JP94047676-B2)      The device comprises a heating furnace, an indirect heating body facing the inner wall of the heating furnace, with a distance between them, and a sealed container which is inserted on the inner side of the indirect heating body.    USE -   Thermal decomposition of wood and plant can be carried out uniformly.
(JP2576162-B2)      Compsn. comprises (as essential components) at least one of 4-5C hydrocarbons and pentafluoroethane (R125). 4-5C hydrocarbon is pref. n-butane, isobutane, cyclobutane, n-pentane, isopentane or cyclopentane.    ADVANTAGE -   Compared with R125alone, conventionally used as a refrigerant, the mixed medium has superior efficiency of refrigeration cycle.
(JP2576161-B2)      Actuating medium mixt. (refriqerant) comprises, as essential components, at least one of 4-5C hydrocarbons and tetrafluoroethane. 4-5C hydrocarbon is pref. n-butane, isobutane, cyclobutane, n-pentane, isopentane or cyclopentane.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The actuatinq medium mixt. is useful for operatinq refrigerator, heat pump etc. Compared with tetrafluoroethane (R134 or R134a) alone conventionally used as refriqerant, the mixed medium is superior in the efficiency of refrigerationn cycle, i.e. efficiency of freezinq-heatinq.
(JP2536560-B2)      Actuating medium mixt. comprises ethane and tetrafluoroethane.    The mole ratio of ethane to tetrafluoroethane is pref. 1:99-40:60.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Useful for operating refrigerator, heat pump etc. The mixed medium has good efficiency of the refrigeration cycle.    In an example, a refrigeration cycle system was operated using a refrigerant comprising ethane and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane mixed in a mole ratio of 0/100, 1/99, 10/90. 20/80, 30/70, 31/69 or 40/60 at an evapn. temp. of 0 deg.C, condensn. temp. of 60 deg.C and supercooling rate of 0 deg.C. Performance coefft. and refrigeration capacity (kcal/m3) obtd. by the refrigerant mixts. were 3.04/370; 3.05/370; 3.28/445; 3.14/480; 3.05/530; 3.04/535; and 2.87/570 respectively.
(SU1788909-A3)      The device is provided with a dispersal member joined to a gas distribution pipe network, on a pressuriser mechanical with the border wall of the dispersal member which is a membrane mfd. of elastic material and having cross or V-shaped slit on the side pointing towards the liq. or slurry.    The legs of the V-shaped slip make an angle of 70-90 deg. to each other while their length is 1-3mm from their cutting point. The membrane is a flat plate, a cover with a circular projection, or alternatively a tube.    USE -   For dissolving and mixing gases in a liq. or sludge, in aerobic fermentation. Bul. 2/15.1.93
(JP94044862-B2)      The process comprises putting an incubating vessel contg. a culture medium, in a incubating tank formed in an underground space, and fermenting the medium at a high temp. under moist conditions.    USE -   For fermenting food wastes, dirty sludges or cattle droppings.
(JP92077610-B)      A gas sepn. membrane is made of an aromatic polybenzoxazole resin having the structure of formula (I), (where R is a divalent aromatic gp.; n is 1-200).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to separate petroleum refinary gas into H2 and CH4 or to separate the air into O2 and H2. The membrane is easy to mould and has improved heat and mechanical resistance.    In an example, 1.638g of 2,2-bis (3-trimethylsilylamino -4-trimethyl siloxydiphenyl) hexafluoropropane were dissolved in 5 ml of dimethylacetoamide in N2 atmos.; the mixt. was frozen in a dry ice/acetone bath and 1.073g of hexafluoroisopropylidene biphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid dichloride were added to the mixt.. The reaction mixt. was transferred to an ice bath and stirred moderately for 5 hrs.. The reaction mixt. was then put in water to obtain polyamide resin pptes.. The polyamide resin was dissolved in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, the resultant soln. was spread over a glass plate to form a film, which was then heated at 280-300 deg. C for 10 hrs. in N2 gas stream to obtain a gas sepn. membrane. The membrane had 295 deg. C glass transition temp., 67.8 MPa breaking strength, and gas selectivites of H2/CH4 = 50.0, CO2/CH4 = 23.1, and O2/N2 = 4.35 at 50 deg. C. (J01159024-A)
(DE3778373-G)      Organic material for conversion to humus is fed through a top aperture into a container with a stacked assembly of box-like structures made of metal or of insulating material such as foamed plastic or compressed fibres; the structures engage each other by peripheral tongues and grooves. The base structure is formed with recesses covered by a perforated fixed plate and a mobile unperforated plate. In the recesses are drawers holding earth-worms which can migrate into the rotting material via the plate perforations. The stack is topped by a lid including the feed aperture, and possible a chopper unit for raw material.    ADVANTAGE -   Humus formation is independent of weather conditions, and adequate worm operation is ensured.
(JP2506837-B2)      A soln. contg 0.05-10 pts. wt. aromatic copolyamide (A) or copolyamide (B) in a mixed solvent which contains 5-50 pts. wt. of organic polar solvent (C) w.r.t. 100 pts. wt. of dioxane is coated on a porous membrane of copolyamide (A) or copolyamide (B), dried, and heated. The copolyamide (A) consists of 90-70 mol% repeating units (I) and 10-30 mol% repeating units (II). The copolyamide (B) consists of 70-90 mol% of repeating unit (III) and 30-10 mol% of repeating unit (IV).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to separate H2 gas, to dehumidify natural gas or to dehydrate aq organic cpds. The membrane has a high H2/CH4 sepn. factor of 30 and a high H2 gas permeability of over 1 x 10 power -6 cm3/cm2.sec.cm.Hg, having good resistances to heat and chemicals.
(JP94096709-B2)      In a new hydrogenation, an unsatd. hydrocarbon having two or more double bonds and/or one or more triple bonds included in a fraction of 4C and higher hydrocarbons is hydrogenated selectively in the presence of a catalyst of a porous inorganic oxide supporting palladium in the presence of carbon monoxide. An electron donor is used additionally. The electron donor is one of alcohols, ethers, nitrogen cpds., and aromatic hydrocarbons, or one metal of Na, K, Ag, Cu, Ga, In, Cr, Mo, and La.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method makes it possible to hydrogenate selectively unsatd. hydrocarbon, such as diolefins and acetylene, without hydrogenating butenes or isomerising butene-1, thus improving the recovery of the industrially useful butenes and the quality of the corresp. polybutenes. Available fractions include the one based on C4 and C5 hydrocarbons obtd. by steam cracking of naphtha.
(US5084141-A)      Destructive distn. of waste organic material contg. many C-C bonds, comprises (a) pre-heating at super-atmos. pressure and 250 deg.C or more without pyrolysis using a hot gas stream without forming elemental-C; and (b) feeding prod. to a separate microwave discharge zone with the hot gas stream flowing in a direction opposite to it, such that zone comprises an O2-free gas at super-atmos. pressure.    Process then comprises (c) pyrolysing the material using micro-wave discharge at low gigahertz frequency for 15-60 mins. to cause fission of most of the C-C bonds and more polar chemical bonds; (d) collecting the solid fission prods. down-stream of the microwave discharge zone; and (e) recycling at least part of the gaseous by-prods. to the hot gas stream to effect pre-heating.    USE -   To decompose waste tyre cpd., agricultural waste material, animal waste material, or natural or synthetic rubber. @(6pp)@    (US5330623-A)      Destructive distn. of waste organic material contg. a substantial proportion of C-C bonds comprises: (a) pre-heating the bulk of the waste material to at least 60 deg.C at superatmospheric pressure without pyrolysis of the organic material to elemental carbon, by means of a hot gas stream; (b) feeding the pre-heated material by a movable feed means directly from the pre-heating zone to a microwave discharge zone having an atmos. of oxygen free gas at superatmospheric pressure; (c) pyrolysing the material by microwave discharge in a low gigahertz frequency range for 15-60 mins to cause fusion of all the C-C bonds and also fusion of more polar bond to produce solid fission prods. of elemental C and gaseous by-products; (d) collecting the solid fusion prods. downstream of the microwave discharge zone; and (e) recycling at least part of the gaseous by-prods. to the hot gas stream to enable pre-heating.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for recycling of e.g. waste tyre cpd. Pyrolysis in pre-heating stage is avoided.
(EP389525-B)      Method for production of a gas from a comminuted biological waste material, such as straw, in which method the comminuted material is introduced into a reactor through a gas tight lock possibly with an addition of steam and distributed into a reactor bed of catalytic filler bodies, which are agitated in such a way that the material during the gasification is flowing along a predetermined path, as the produced gas and the residual material are removed through the bottom of said bed, characterised in that the bed is heated indirectly, and that the agitation of the catalytic bodies is provided by such a vibration of the bed that the material is conveyed downwards through the bed, the filler bodies being ceramic carriers for a catalytically acting heavy metal. (8pp)
(US4846975-A)      Treating municipal waste, involves flail mill processing to liberate it from containers without significant size redn., before removing metal and glass by rotary disc screen which removes fine solids and dry air knife separator for heavy solids removal. Pref. metal is sepd. by magnets. Remaining predominantly organic material is rotary-flow pulped, and an accepts fraction sepd. from a rejects fraction is defibrated by gentle mechanical action and heating, and is passed to an anaerobic digestion process. Reject material goes to further processing.    ADVANTAGE -   Valuable CH4 gas is produced by the digestion process. (4pp)
(US4828399-B)      A compost handling machine comprising a carriage to support the machine for movement along a composting bay, and a compost agitating and conveying assembly to agitate compost in, and to move the compost along the bay. The agitating and conveying assembly includes a conveyor subassembly and a drum subassembly. The conveyor subassembly includes a plurality of lifting cleats that, in use, are moved around a closed path to lift compost in the bay and move the compost rearwardly therein. The drum subassembly includes an agitating drum extending between and supported by a pair of support arms, and the drum is rotated to agitate and comminute the compost in the bay. (Claim 7 is cancelled).
(JP94060073-B2)      The device comprises a silo enclosed by walls with holes at the bottom and the sides. The bottom of the silo is spaced above the ground.    USE -   Oxygen is supplied sufficiently without agitation.
(US4888035-A)      A gas mixt. contg. mainly H2, CH4 and CO is sepd. by (A) as known (a) low temp. stripping with liq. CH4, (b) sepg. H2 and CO from the loaded CH4 obtd. and (c) sepg. the loaded CH4 into enriched CO and CH4 fractions with (B) the H2 and CO obtd. in (Ab) are contacted with regenerated liq. CH4 to recover CO therefrom resulting in an increased overall yield of CO. The loaded CH4. The CH4 is pref. at -182 to -173 deg.C during (Aa).    ADVANTAGE -   Loss of CO in the H2 stripping step and/or in an expansion tank is minimised. (5pp)a
(JP96024919-B2)      Waste soln. after distn. of alcohols is methane fermented after adding a biomass-decomposable enzyme.    The biomass decomposable enzyme is pref. starch decomposable enzyme, vegetable structure decomposing enzyme or their mixt. The starch decomposable enzyme is pref. added in such an amt. that saccharifying power is over 125 units per 1 1 of the waste soln. and the vegetable structre decomposing enzyme in such an amt. that saccharifying power of methyl cellulose is over 40 units per 1 1 of the waste soln. By adding the enzyme, limited dextrin and oligosaccharide are changed to glucose, which can easily be decomposed by methane bacteria, and so the fermentation is promoted. Bacteria producing the enzyme can also be used. The bacteria are incubated in the waste soln. to decompose organic substances with high polymerisation degree and then the waste soln. is fermented.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Waste soln. from alcohol producing factory is treated by the method. Waste solns. with different compsns. can be fermented in the same bioreactor in a short time. By using the biomass decomposable enzyme, sedimentation of sludge formed is promoted and so efficiency in methane fermentation is increased.
(US4874401-A)      Gas sepn. membrane comprises a bisphenol-AF polycarbonate and polyester-carbonate of formula (I).    In (I), each R is H, halogen, 1-6 C alkyl or halogenoalkyl, or 1-4 C alkoxy; each R' is an opt. halogen-substd. 1-20 hydrocarbyl bridging gp; x is about 0.05-1.0; y is 0-0.95, such that the ratio y/x is 0-50; and n is at least about 20.    USE -   The prods. facilitate the sepn. of gas mixts., e.g. O2/N2 and CO2/CH4 mixts.
(DE3739157-C)      Byproducts and/or undesirable substances obtd. during the known reducing pyrolysis of carbonaceous material are reduced by introducing the process into the fluidised bed inside the pyrolysis reactor operating above 650 deg.C and used for prepyrolysation of the raw materials.    The process water is pref. atomised into the fluidised bed in the vicinity of the inlet for the fluidising gas. About 10% process water is added referred to raw material. A basic binder, e.g. CaCO3, dolomite, is introduced into the fluidised bed for pyrolysis gas contg. Cl, F, S and/or CN cpds.    ADVANTAGE -   A simple process to reduce the amount of the byproduct process water to a minimum and/or the amount of harmful and/or undesirable substances.    (US4960440-A)      Yields are improved and amt. of undesirable cpds. reduced in gas pyrolysis by the pyrolytic decompsn. of a starting material in a fluidised bed reactor supplied with a reducing atmos., and cooling and condensing H2O vapour which is recycled as a spray to the bed. The mass flow rate of the H2O is about 3% of that of the starting material.    ADVANTAGE -   Amt. of process H2O is minimised. @(8pp)
(US4943546-A)      Catalyst compsn. comprises one or more metals of Gp. VIII of the Periodic Table, e.g. Pt, Pd and Ni (0.01-15.00 wt%); and Ti (0.01-1.00 wt%); dispersed on mordenite (10-99.98 wt%) and opt. alumina, silica, magnesia, natural clays or their mixts. (0-89.98 wt%). The mordente has a molar Si/Al ratio about 5-100; less than 0.2 wt% Na; mesh vol. 2.73-2.78 (nm)3; molecular kinetic dia. more than about 0.66 nm; and benzene adsorption capacity more than 5 wt%.    USE -   The prods. are catalysts for the hydroisomerisation of 4-7C n-alkanes to obtain corresp. branched alkanes in high yields. @(5pp)    (JP2821603-B2)      Catalyst contains (wt. %): (a) 10-99.98 of mordenite which absorbs mols of kinetic dia. more than about 6.6 x A, has a Si/Al atomic ratio of about 5:1 to 100-1, a Na content of less than 0.2, a unit cell vol. V of 2.73-2.78 cu nm and a benzene aosorption capacity of more than about 5, and is presen mainly as needles; (b) a matrix 0-89.98 of Al2O3, SiO2, MgO, natural clays, mixts. of these cpds. or the combinations Al2O3-B2O3; (c) 0.01-15 of Gp. VIII metal(s); and (d) 0.01-1 of Ti. Use of the catalyst of (A) is claimed for the hydroisomerisation reactions of 4-7C fractions rich in n-paraffins.    ADVANTAGE -   The hydroisomerisation selectivity is better than that of the catalyst of EP-A-1 96 965 as a result of adding Ti, the cracking selectivity being reduced. E.q. the selectivity of isomerisation of n-hexane was 99.0 % at 81% conversion.
(US4964887-A)      CH4 is sepd. from a mixt. contg. CO2 by concn. by contacting with a membrane film of polyimide resin having a repeating unit of formula (I) to selectively pass CO2 through it. R1 is divalent aromatic, alicyclic or aliphatic hydrocarbon, each opt. linked via a divalent organic linking gp., e.g. alkylene, ether, sulphide, sulpho, amido, ester, urethane or urea.    ADVANTAGE -   Has excellent heat resistance, acid resistance, hydrocarbon resistance and mechanical strength. @(15pp)@
(JP93043674-B)      Arrangement for fermentation of waste vegetable matter comprises a device for smashing and dehydrating the vegetables by rotating a drum in which a number of stabbing blades are formed on a bottom plate and including a number of small holes over the hole peripheral wall, a device for sepg. fine pieces of the vegetables suitable for fermentation, a device for mixing and smashing mixture of dehydrated fine pieces and fish meat or like, and a device for heating and agitating the mixt. to promote fermentation.    ADVANTAGE -   Since water content of smashed vegetables is reduced it can be used as fertiliser. (J61083588-A)
(US4946620-A)      Acid gas absorbent compsn. comprises a diethylene glycol dialkyl ether (I) R'O(C2H4O)2R2 (where R1 and R2 are independently = 1-4C alkyl, and a polyethylene glycol dialkyl ether (II) R3O(C2H4O)nR4 where R3 and R4 are independently 1-4C alkyl, n= 3-8), the molar ratio of (I) to (II) is in the range of 95:5-60:40, and the compsn. has a lower vapour pressure than that calculated in accordance with Raoult's Law. (R1-R4 are independently pref. 1-3C alkyl). (I) is pref. diethylene glycol diisopropyl ether (Ia) and (II) is pref. tetramethylene glycol diisopropyl ether (IIa). (Ia) and (II) is polyethylene glycol diisopropyl ether having 3-8 moles of EO added and possessing an av. molecular wt. in the range 234-400.    The molar ratio of (I) to (II) is pref. 85:15-65:35. The acid gas is pref. natural gas, synthetic gas, and coke oven gas.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The compsn. is used for sepg. absorption gases. e.g. CO2 and H2S from a mixed gas. The absorbent possesses a large capacity for adsorption as compared with conventional physical absorbents and possesses a sufficiently low vapour pressure, and serves advantageously for the adsorption of acid gas. @(7pp)    (JP94098262-B2)      Acid gas absorbent compsn comprises a diethylene glycol di(1-4C)alkyl ether of formula R1-0-(C2H40)2R2 (I) (where R1, R2 each = 1-4C alkyl) and a polyethylene glycol dialkyl ether of formula R3-0-(C2H40)nR4 (II) (where R3, R4 each = 1-4C alkyl; and n = 3-8). Pref molar ratio (I):(II) is 95:5-60:40, esp 85:15-65:35.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Partic for absorption of acid gases (C02,H2S) from natural gas, synthetic gas, coke oven gas, etc. The absorbent has a high capacity, and addn of (II), lowers the vapour pressure so that absorption need not be carried out at low temps.
(US5055406-A)      Biologically-pure culture of Methanohalococcus alcaliphilum has optimum growth at NaCl concn. of 2.5-3M, at pH8.0-8.5, and at 35-37degC. M. alcaliphilum comprises species N7-218 and produce CH4-gas at 15-45degC to pH8.5 or less.    ADVANTAGE -   Has enhanced efficiency at alkaline pH, at high salt concn., and at low temp. @(16pp)    (JP93052186-B)      Halomethanococcus alcaliphilum, which has optimum growing area of NaCl concn. of about 2.5-3 M.    The optimum pH value is pref. 8.0-8.5, Pref. microorganism is H, alcaliphilum NY-218 FERM P-8641 or NY-844 FERM P-9642. The present strain is obtd. by selection in conventional manner from soil.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The present strains can produce methane under highly alkaline conditions and also even at low temp. such as 15-20 deg.C. (J01098474-A)    (US5350684-A)      A biologically pure culture of Methanohalococcus alcaliphilium with an optimum growth NaCl concn. of 2.5-3.0M, an optimum growth pH range of 8-8.5 and a methane prodn. activity of at least about pH 8.5 is used to produce methane. The culture is cultured in an aerobic medium for an appropriate length of time.    Pref. the Methanohalococcus has the identifying characteristics of NY-218 or NY-844.    ADVANTAGE -   Prodn. of methane is more efficiently achieved.
(DE3868848-G)      In the stripping of H2- and CO- contg. gas mixts. by partial condensation and then rectification at low temp. to form an H2-rich and a CO-rich stream, the condensate from the partial condensation is expanded in a sepn. column for withdrawal of a liq. CH4 fraction from the bottom, a gaseous H2 residual gas fraction from the top and a liq. CO product fraction from the middle.    Appts. for carrying out the process includes a divided separator column, the upper part of which acts mainly as an H2 stripper and the lower part of which acts mainly as a CO/CH4 sepn. column.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process is useful for stripping H2, CO and CH4 crude gases from steam reforming. High prod. purity is obtd. at minimal material costs. ()
(US4954077-A)      Gas lighter comprises a hermetically sealed vessel contg. purified liquid butane, volatile perfume (about 0.1-10 wt% based on butane) and opt. solvent; fitted with a trigger unit that opens a valve to release butane and perfume, and simultaneously activated a sparking system to ignite the butane and perfume. Typical perfumes are limonene, orange oil, bergamot oil, methyl isobutyrate, isoamyl acetate, ethyl acetacetate, linalyl acetate, citronellyl acetate, geranyl acetate, cinnamyl acetate, citril, carvone, etc.    USE -   When triggered, the prods. provide a pleasant perfumed odour without contamination of clothes, cigarettes, etc.    (5pp)
(US5019355-A)      Appts. for converting molecules of first molecular wt. to molecules of second molecular wt. comprises semi-conductor tube whose interior surface is expressed to first substance, tube being disposed in chamber in which electric field is established.    ADVANTAGE -   Field has significant component and is parallel to longitudinal axis of tube. @(10pp)    (JP95108373-B2)      Tubular means to convert molecules of one molecular weight into molecules of another molecular weight includes interior surface exposed to molecules comprises surfaces having beneath it a semiconducting layer electrically connected to first external potential source. An electrical current flows in layer and so that a portion of the electrons of current is available at surface to provide charges needed to sustain operation. Also claimed is number of tubular means are joined together in an array so that the axes of tubular means are disposed parallel with each other.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Conversion of size of hydrocarbon molecules in process stream. Provides an electrical device which combines molecules of low molecular weight into molecules of higher molecular weight.    (RU2040331-C1)      Tubular means to convert molecules of one molecular weight into molecules of another molecular weight includes interior surface exposed to molecules comprises surfaces having beneath it a semiconducting layer electrically connected to first external potential source. An electrical current flows in layer and so that a portion of the electrons of current is available at surface to provide charges needed to sustain operation. Also claimed is number of tubular means are joined together in an array so that the axes of tubular means are disposed parallel with each other.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Conversion of size of hydrocarbon molecules in process stream. Provides an electrical device which combines molecules of low molecular weight into molecules of higher molecular weight.
(DE3731595-C)      The Parent Patent described a method of heat treatment of bulk material, e.g. drying, calcining, roasting, O.T. carbonising of biomass waste, soda or ores. The materials which migrates along a channel in a fluid bed are traversed in cross flow by hot gas. The gases are extracted, dedusted, heated indirectly by heat exchangers and recycled.    ADVANTAGE -   Eliminates the high content caused by the Parent Patent. The improved process has a much wider scope.
(DE3732564-C)      After size redn. and the extn by sieves and magnetic separators of material not capable of forming compost, a first stage in forming compost from very wet refuse involves pre-composting while mixing with previously formed compost. For the second stage, sewage sludge is then added.    The pre-composting stage may be partly achieved in a rotating mixer drum, before a second drum for delivering sludge. Final compost undergoes differental sieving, with coarse fraction (e.g. over 40mm) retained for re-processing. Finest fraction is for gardening medium fraction for farming.    ADVANTAGE -   Plant is simple, and smell emission from sewage sludge greatly reduced.    (EP309872-B1)      A method of composting waste, incorporating the addition of sewage sludge plus material that has already been composted, in which the waste is subjected to size reduction as well as separation of non-compostable inclusions, followed by a two-stage fermentation process, characterised in that biological and/or 'green' waste with a moisture content so high that it cannot accept any additional moisture without exceeding the optimum moisture content parameters for the fermentation process, is precomposted in the first fermentation stage with the addition of already composted, moisture-reduced material from the first and/or second fermentation stage, after which it is then mixed with sewage sludge and composted to maturity in the second fermentation stage.
(JP2654447-B2)      Animal and/or vegetable material contg nutrients e.g. amino acid, etc and mineral or inorganic chemical material are added to a waste soln after alcohol fermentation with yeast virus.    A soln of animal protein or soln of fish solubles is used as the animal and/or vegetable material and inorganic fertiliser contg at least one of N, P, K, Fe, Zn, and Mn is used as the inorganic chemical material.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Methane fermentation of the waste soln obtd after alcohol fermentation is carried out. Waste water from brewing can be fermented.
(US5007988-A)      Concn. of number of combustible gases in gas stream is determined with electrochemical cell (1) of ceramic material, in which cavity (3) is formed, with diffusion limiting port (5). Process side (7) is in flow communication with gas stream flowing into cavity through port and reference side (9) is in flow communication with reference gas. External voltage is applied to electrode (13) on process side and further electrode (15) attached to reference side. current flowing through electrolyte (11) is adjusted to create potential difference across cell corresp. to that when O ions diffuse from reference side to process side and to cell cavity equal diffusion rate of combustible gases through port, current being measured (25).    ADVANTAGE -   Concn. of each combustible gas in stream can be determined. @(9pp)@
(JP93000373-B)      The prepn. of methane enriched gas (I) is effected by removing CO2 (II) from material gas (III) by pressure swing adsorption (PSA), and comprises (1) Treating (III) with zeolite having average pore size 5 Angstroms or more above 80 deg.C to adsorb (II), (2) Recovering adsorbed methane from the adsorbent. In process (2), part of the desorbed gas, recovered from the adsorbent under 500-200 Torr is recycled to the adsorption appts. to recover methane.    ADVANTAGE -   (I), pref. town gas, is prepd. by PSA process from (III), pref. reformed gas (prepd. by treating liquefied petroleum or methanol with steam), efficiently removing (II). (II) is removed from (III) by PSA process more economically than prior arts by alkali washing, and methane recovered in high yield (99% or more). (J01029326-A)
(JP95017525-B2)      Hydrocarbon(s) (I) contg. two or more carbon atoms is prepd. by reaction of methane (II) with oxygen (III) and carbon dioxide (IV) over catalyst (V). Pref. cpd(s). selected from magnesium, calcium- or zinc-oxide, and certain metal(s) and/or its oxide(s) may be used with above oxide(s) as accelerator. Redox catalyst, e.g. potassium, sodium, barium etc. and their oxide may be used with (V). Ratio of accelerator/ingredient is 2-50 mol.% and ratio of redox catalyst to ingredient plus accelerator is 0.1 mol.% or more, (1-70 mol.%).    ADVANTAGE -   (I), esp. ethane and ethylene, is prepd. more selectively and efficiently than prior arts, and carbon monoxide is prepd. from (IV) simultaneously.
(JP2676143-B2)      A device for treatment of surplus sludge which is formed by biological treatment of waste water, includes a water wheel rotably arranged in upper portion in a tank, a partition plate extending just below scooper of the wheel and forms opening in lower portion of the tank, filter bed arranged at least in a side of the partition plate, and a drain pipe located slightly below axis of the wheel and including filter membrane. The water level in the tank is adjusted so that a turning flow is generated by rotation of the wheel.    ADVANTAGE -   Even if density of surplus sludge is high, microbes breed on the filter bed to activate the sludge. Solid/liq sepn is performed efficiently.
(US4871916-A)      Presence of methane in an atmos., partic. in a port or mine, is detected by an arrangement in which light emitted by a Nd:YAG laser (10) with wavelength control (12) is passed through an atmos. at a wavelength with a fluorescence line width which includes at least one significant absorption line of the (V2+2V3) band of methane.    The light is monitored after traversal of the atmos. to detect absorption line (S). A photo-acoustic reference cell (14) is provided and a test cell (22) contg. 100% methane.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved practical arrangement. (6pp)
(JP93066885-B)      Appts. for producing town gas has combined (A) low temp. reforming appts., and (B) medium temp. reforming appts.. (A) is operated at 300-500 deg.C as LPG or naphtha is the supplied raw materials. (B) is operated at 550-650 deg.C by using a perpendicular cylindrical heating furnace. In (B), the supplied raw materials are the prod. of (A). (A) is an adiabatic type low temp. reforming appts., filled with Ru catalyst. (B) is filled with Ni catalyst.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Town gas of calorific value 4,000-5,500 Kcal/Nm3 is produced. Equipment is simple and its operation is pref. economical. Cheap Ni catalyst (1/7 the cost of Ru catalyst), and economical perpendicular cylindrical heating furnace can be used. Suitable for producing town gas on a small-to-medium scale. As (A) is adiabatic, it is easy to change the catalyst. (J01009801-A)
(US4929787-A)      CH4 is converted to higher hydrocarbons, by contacting CH4- and O2-contg. gas with a solid contact mass contg. lanthanum;, neodymium; and/or samarium carbonate, such that carbonate is stable during conversion.    Opt. contact mass includes an alkaline earth metal, and has formula ZaMbOc-x, where Z is alkaline earth metal(s), M is La, Ne, or Sm, a is 0.001-2, b is 2, c is (3 + a), and x is 0.1-c.    USE -   In prodn. of ethylene as raw material for synthesising various important prods. @(7pp)    (JP2571954-B2)      Methane is converted to higher hydrocarbons by contacting a gas contg. CH4 and O2 with a catalyst contg. a carbonate of a rare earth.    The rare earths are La (pref.), Pr, Nd (pref.), Sm (pref.), Fu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Fr, Tm, Yb or Lu. The carbonates have the formula M2O2(CO3), pref. La2O2(CO3). M = rare earth. The catalyst may contain a cpd. of an alkaline earth giving the general formula ZaMbOc-x(CO3)x, esp. ZaM2O2(Co3)1+a. Z = alkaline earth; a = O.0O1-2; b = 2; c = 3 + a; x = 0.1 to c. The catalyst may contain, as carrier, SiO2, MgO, CaO, ZnO, alpha-Al2O3, or a perovskite or pyrochlor of the rare earth.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   CH4 or natural gas are converted esp. to ethylene and ethane. The rare earth carbonates have increased activity, selectivity and stability. Higher conversions can be obtd. at lower temp., using high throughput.
(JP93066882-B)      Methanol reformer comprises a cylindrical furnace, a burner placed at upper part of the furnace, a cylindrical wall placed around the burner, a vapouriser placed in the wall, a reactor placed at the outside of the wall and connected to the vapouriser and an outlet. The reformer also comprises an air chamber between the burner and the reactor and air is supplied from the outside of the furnace to the air chamber controlling its amt. based on a catalyst temp. in the reactor.    USE -   Compsn. and amt. of flow of reformed gas do not change when the load of the fuel cell changes, since catalyst in the reactor is not super-heated. (J63315501-A)
(DE3726730-C)      Carbon membranes are prepd. from a prestage membrane material selected from cellulose, cuprophane-collulose, regenerated cellulose, heat hardened and acrylic cpds. The prestage membrane has dimensions corrresp. to the desired prod. and has a pore size chosen so that passage of the desired gas is permitted while passage of other gases is not. The prestage membrane is pref. treated with an agent increasing the carbon yield while maintaining membrane geometry, e.g. ammmonium chloride powder and then pyrolysed.    Pyrolysis is carried out with a heating rate of 1-10 deg. C/min. in an inert atmos. up to 250-1500 deg. C. The resulting membrane is pref. oxidised at high temp. in an oxygen or oxygen-contg. atmos., the membrane is then pref. exposed to an air-hydrogen or carbon dioxide atmos. and finally pref. subjected to a vacuum treatment.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The membrane is efficient at sepg. gases such as hydrogen-argon and oxygen-argon mixts.
(US4915841-A)      A waste water flow comprising a feed stream and a recycle stream is (A) treated by flowing it upward through a thick, expanded mud bed in absence of air and oxygen into an overlying zone at a rate of 0.1-0.5, pref. 0.2-0.4 m/hr. and comprising values 1 kg. COD/cm3/day with a dwelling time in the bed of 5-20 pref. 8-16 hr., (B) the overflow is treated by an anaerobic biological process in a fluidised bed contg. fine inert support media and (C) is nitrified and oxidised by an aerobic biological process in a fixed bed contg. fine inert support media.    The flow to the fixed bed is downward and countercurrent to a flow of blown air contg. at least 2 mg/l. dissolved O2.    ADVANTAGE -   A more effective process than known aerobic processes requiring lower investment costs and lower operational costs. (6pp)    (DE3871019-G)      Waste waters of urban and/or industrial origin contg. low concns. of organic pollutants (I) are purified by the following microbiological method: (a) the water is treated under anaerobic/anoxic conditions with microorganisms (fixed or in floccules specific for both (I) (to produce a biogas rich in CH4) and nitrates; and (b) the produced H2O undergoes a high-speed, fixed-biofilm oxidising aerobic biological treatment which nitrifies NH3 and oxidises sulphides.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process has a sharp decrease (to 1/2) in energy consumption, gives more stabilised concd. muds which are more easily disposed of, and affords a high-heat-power biogas. In addn., the plant requires reduced surface area.
(DE3725988-C2)      Sewage sludge is rotted by (A) loosely spreading straw on a level, free area, (B) applying to the straw crude sludge adjusted to a solids content of least 25, pref. 25-35 wt%, whose heavy metal content lies below the legal max., in such amts. that the vol. ratio organic matter:partially dewatered sludge is 0.1-0.5:1 and (C) mixing all components using conventional equipment and allowing the mixt. to rot aerobically on the free area allowing 4 m2/m3 sludge.    The straw is pref. in the form of rolled up mats as produced by mow threshing. Part of the straw can be replaced by wood shavings and/or shredded waste paper. The solids in the sludge are pref. adjusted by adding mineral salts and/or polyelectrolytes promoting rotting.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to eliminate sewage sludge from industrial and municipal plants. A cheaper method than known ones achieving satisfactory rotting to humus while supplying the required nutrients for a satisfactory microbial decomposition and adjusting the water content.
(SU1836563-A3)      Method and appts. for open-air drying of organic fibrous material e.g. straw, peat, wood chips, involves piling the material into a rick over a drying frame upon the ground, the frame having centreline uprights which mark rick depth and edging fittings at least at its lengthwise sides. A fan unit generates air flow through the rick, opt. inwardly or outwardly for alternately in those directions. Pref. opt. lightweight. rain cover can be spaced above the rick.    ADVANTAGE -   Frame keeps the material out of ground contact and possible moisture uptake.
(JP95022706-B2)      Catalyst for producing CH4-contg. gas using CH3OH or mixture of CH3OH and water as raw material comprises 100 pts. wt. of support contg. alkaline earth metal oxide and 5-300 pts. wt. of Ni oxide.    Pref. alkali metal oxide is MgO, CaO, BaO or their mixt. The support contg. alkaline earth metal oxide contains over 1%, e.g. over 5 wt.% of alkaline earth metal oxide and alumina, titania, zirconia or silica and binder. The support is produced by covering alumina or titania support with alkali metal oxide or by mixing alumina or titania support with alkaline earth metal oxide or by adding alkali to mixed soln. contg. alkaline earth metal and Al cpd. to form ppte. and firing the ppte..    ADVANTAGE -   CH4-contg. gas is selectively produced from CH3OH or mixture of CH3OH and water by using the catalyst.
(EP300925-B)      A charcoal producing plant has a line of mobile carbonisation furnaces, a line of identical mobile wood dryers, an air inlet sleeve at the top of each furnace and dryer and a gas outlet at its base, a duct with a fan connecting the gas outlets of the furnaces to an incinerator, a duct connecting the incinerator to the sleeves of the dryers, and a duct connecting the gas outlets of the dryers to a chimney.    ADVANTAGES -   Noxious vapours are not released, and no separate drying procedure is needed.
(EP300348-B)      A biogas reactor, at least partly filled with active biomass, encloses one or more separating funnels with a central tube penetrating in the funnel to form a gas collecting space. The gas is extracted by a horizontal pipe through the funnel and the reactor wall; surplus gas escapes over the bottom and of the control tube and rises in th' latter.    ADVANTAGE -   Many such funnels can be arranged above each other to create a biogas reactor with very little floor space. Biogas can be extracted from all its levels.    (JP2659403-B2)      A biogas reactor, at least partly filled with active biomass, encloses one or more separating funnels with a central tube penetrating in the funnel to form a gas collecting space. The gas is extracted by a horizontal pipe through the funnel and the reactor wall; surplus gas escapes over the bottom and of the control tube and rises in th' latter.    ADVANTAGE -   Many such funnels can be arranged above each other to create a biogas reactor with very little floor space. Biogas can be extracted from all its levels.
(JP94062354-B2)      Process comprises (i) preparing a suspension of raw humus substance by oxidation of high-concn. organic sewage component to be treated (ii) adding a prescribed amount of high-concn. organic sewage to suspension and to aerate the mixed suspension for many hours with air or oxygen, (iii) removing the same amount of the aerated mixed suspension as that of the high-concn. organic sewage added before, (iv) sepg. the aerated mixed suspension taken out into a solution and a solid, and (v) discharging a purified soln. and to increase the humus degree of the solid by an appropriate method to transform the solid into a genuine humus substance that is used for agricultural uses.    ADVANTAGE -   The process is cheap in a plant construction cost and in an operation cost as compared with the conventional activated sludge process.
(JP94062353-B2)      Prodn. comprises mixing and fermenting bark chips and pig excretions.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for treating pig excretions without using activated sludge. Watery pig excretions are easily fermented to produce compost, and bark tissues in the compost improve the soil. Specifically the Bark is taken from a Japanese cedar or a Japanese cypress. The sizes of the chips is 1-2 cm by 5-10 cm, which is convenient for stirring and mixing. The combining ratio of bark per pig excretions is 1/4 by wt..    In an example Japanese cedar bark, dried under sunlight, is cut into pieces (1 by 5 cm). Two tons of bark chips were pressed into a container for mixing, and mixed with 8 tons of pig excretions. After adding ferment bacilli, it was thoroughly stirred. The mixt. was stirred 2-4 times a day in a stirring container (70 x 3 x 0.6 m) for 60-70 days to give bark compost. The compost had 1/3 weight compared to the initial mixt. of bark chips and pig excretions.
(US4890672-A)      Gas generated in a landfill contg. domestic refuse and industrial waste is withdrawn via gas wells, gas from each well being measured as to its temp., in order to detect and utilise temp. increase as an indication of excess withdrawal causing intake of air.    The information thus obtd. is used to control gas flow from the wells, opt. automatically, or manually in response to an optical or noise alarm warning of temp. increase.    ADVANTAGE -   Overheating by air intake is detected easily.
(JP2516016-B2)      Device for forming compost from waste comprises tanks for fermentation stages arranged in series and partitioned by walls including delivery ports. an inlet of the waste formed in upper portion of the 1st tank and screw conveyer arranged in lower portion in the tanks for feeding the waste.    ADVANTAGE -   Compost is formed continuously.
(EP298951-B)      Treatment of wood (charcoal) (I), which releases harmful matter on combustion, involves extn. of (I), opt. reduced to pieces of a suitable size, with a solvent mixt. contg. (cyclo)aliphatic hydrocarbon(s) (II) and polar (cyclo)aliphatic cpd(s). (III), esp. to remove the harmful organic constituents. This treatment is useful for wooden components, structural wood etc., esp. that treated with preservatives, e.g. railway sleepers, poles for overhead lines, wood used in water and for bridges etc.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The technique is also useful for treatment of polywood and chipboard. The harmful matter is removed almost completely, so that (I) can be burnt without harmful emissions.